Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 29, Number 11, 1 November 2012 — 11th annual Native Hawaiian Convention [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

11th annual Native Hawaiian Convention

OnOct. 2-4, 2012, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement held its llth annual Native Hawaiian Convention. This year's theme was "Moving Forward - Our People, Our Land, Our Spirit." The Office of Hawaiian Affairs was very pleased to be one this year's sponsors. This convention is the largest gathering of eommunity members, organizations, policymakers, legislative

representatives and federal agencies interested in Native Hawaiian community development. This annual convention features many different speakers, presentations, various policy reports, public policy plenary sessions, luncheons, banquets, keynote addresses, roundtables and workshops that focus on issues related to culturalpreservation, education, housing, eeonomie development and self-determi-nation. This year was no different. The convention started on Tuesday where participants chose fiom several different bieakout sessions. Sessions such as the Annual Next Generation Leaders Fonun hosted by Lilikalā Kame'eleihiwa and the University of Hawai'i Hawaiian Studies Program focused on gathering emerging Hawaiian leaders. Another session was the Hawaiian Home Lands Roundtable, whieh was hosted by the Association of Hawaiians for Homestead Lands. At this ioundtable, various issues were discussed such as the Native Hawaiian Roll Conunission, the Nekon v. HHC case, and water iights of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act benefrciaries. The Pacifrc Business Partnersbip Summit hosted by the Native Hawaiian Eeonomie Allianee shared business policies, strategies and networking opprtiuiities. The last of the morning sessions was hosted by the Native Hawaiian Health Consortium, where they discussed and focused on healthcare challenges and solutions for Native Hawaiians. On Wednesday those in attendance participated in the Philanthropy Forum. At the different sessions, technical and financial infonnation was provided. It was a great way to meet program otficers

and to leam more about funding opportunities from federal, state and foundation entities. The forum featured presentations on funding available through various foundations and was coordinated by the Wbite House Initiative on Asian and Pacifrc Islanders, the Ford Foundation and CNHA's Hawaiian Way Fund. There were special sessions with the Pacifrc Island Forum Steering Committee and naūonal foundation leaders. Samplings of Paeiiie Island projects and foundation-funded projects were presented.

Attendees had a ehanee to sit in on concurrent sessions. The sessions were: Oweesta First Nations Access to Capital, New Markets Tax Credits - Capital for Building Facilities and Structures, Native Hawaiian Education Act Funding, Accessing Cff Funds, Workplace Giving, DHHL Grant and Loan Programs, and DeSoto Brown's Archival Treasures from the Hawaiian Monarch and Iudd Collections. The highlight of the convention was the opportunity to hear from Sen. Daniel Akaka, who will be retiring at the end of this year. Senator Akaka has participated in all of the Native Hawaiian Conventions since they started and has spoken at eaeh event. This year he gave an eloquent speech of his years of service for our state and how he bas seen rnany changes happen here in Hawai'i and across the country. At the same time, he said the Native Hawaiian people, their culture and language have rernained resilient. He encouraged all that we are on this voyage together to advance our Hawaiian people, that we prepare ourselves by learning new skills, work hard and make contributions to our cornmunity and extend aloha in all we do. Throughout the convention there was the Convention Marketplace, where more than 70 vendors and booths featured loeal fashion and srnall-business owners. This was hosted by Nā Mea Hawai'i and Native Hawaiian Eeonomie Allianee. The convention was a great success, and I believe all who attended gained insightful information. As Senator Akaka stated, we should "grab our paddle and hoe a mau." Till next year. ■

LEO 'ELELE ^ > TRUSTEE MESSSAGES "

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Editor's note: Beginning in June, certain trustees ' columns will not appear in Ka Wai Ola. In accordance with an Office ofHawaiian Affairs Board ofTrustees policy based on state ethics guidelines, any trust.ee runningfor re-election is suspended from publishing his or her regular eolumn until the elections are complet.e, except.for t.hose t.ru.st.ees ru.nning u.nopposed. Tru.st.ees HaunaniApoliona, Robert.Lindsey and Hulu.Lindsey havefiled nominat.ion papersforre-election anel, as a resu.lt, t.heircolumns are su.spendedpending the ouieome oft.he elect.ion.

Cūlette Y. Machadū Chairpersūn, Trustee Muluka'i and Lāna'i