Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 30, Number 3, 1 March 2013 — 5 isle leaders honored as Living Treasures [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

5 isle leaders honored as Living Treasures

ByTreenaShapiro The five humanitarians honored this year as Living Treasures of Hawai'i all hail from small towns, whieh master of ceremonies Dennis Sekine suggested might have instilled eaeh of them with a strong sense of community. Their contributions have touched Native Hawaiians and encouraged budding musicians reach great heights. The five were honored by the Honpa Hongwangji Mission of Hawai'i. Now in its 38th year, the mission's Living Treasures of Hawai'i program honors those who have contributed to the preservation and perpetuation of the Islands' cultural and artistic heritage. For 2013, the selection committee chose to recognize Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Oswald Stender, Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center Deputy Director Dennis Kauahi, conductor Nola Nahulu, former Royal Hawaiian Bandmaster Miehael Nakasone and Honoka'a musician and teacher Gary Washburn. Speaking at the Feb. 9 ceremony at the Sheraton Waiklkl Hotel, Gov. Neil Abercrombie said of the honorees: "They have spent their lives helping others. They have spent their lives not necessarily eonscious of that fact, but conscious of the necessity of fulfilling their own destiny in the company of others, in a sense of community, in a sense of 'ohana, of seeing all as family." In their own ways, all the honorees have used their talents to help elevate the status of others. Stender, a real estate broker and consultant, shared his belief that anyone who succeeds in life owes something back to the community. "You need to leave a plaee better than you found it," he told the audienee. "You know, I've sat on every board you ean think of that does service for the poor, the needy and the foster care program," Stender

says. "These build a strong foundation of people that's going to better the community." Those boards include OHA, Bishop Estate and Campbell Estate, and Stender has also served as the director for such organizations as Alu Like Enterprises and the Affordable Housing Coalition. Working with these organizations to help strengthen families and communities is Stender's way of reaching out to Native Hawaiians who are struggling to survive in a culture that is drastically different fromthe sustainable Native Hawaiian lifestyle of the past. "The impact of change and what has been done to the Hawaiian families is devastating," Stender says. Social worker Dennis Kauahi has dedicated more than four decades to the Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center, a social service agency dedicated to the welfare of orphans and destitute children and families. He has also made significant contributions at the University of Hawai'i, including participation on the Kūpuna Council that guides the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work on Native Hawaiian values and practices. In trying to help children eope with loss, Kauahi encourages them

to build spiritual connections. "I was helping . . . kids make canoes because canoes represented a journey - a journey to healing," he says, recognizing that children aren't always going to leam as mueh by talking as they might through a hands-on project. "As you work at something, you're healing." Taking inspiration from Queen Lili'uokalani, Kauahi said he has learned the importance of accepting loss and finding a way to forgive and let go of anger, a practice he encourages among those he helps. Described as every student's greatest cheerleader, musician Nola Nahulu has provided direction and illustration for productions around the world. In Hawai'i, she has been a conductor and artistic director for numerous groups, including the Hawai'i Youth Opera Chorus and Gioventu Musicale ensemble. Teachers need to share their passion and excitement for what they are teaching, Nahulu asserts. "I know that I'm basically an educator because I really like to actually feel the seed - find the potential - and I feel really good for the person when they actually blossom," she says. Miehael Nakasone, who gained recognition as the longtime Pearl

City High School Band director, more recently had a five-year tenure as the Royal Hawaiian bandmaster from 2005 to 2010. Under his leadership, student and professional musicians alike have reached greater levels of achievement, something Nakasone believes has resulted in elevated self-confidence. "Teaching music is the most wonderful profession in the world," Nakasone says. "Eaeh student that plays an instrument wants to play well and will do their best." Fellow music teacher Gary Washburn, an Oklahoma native, heeame Honoka'a High and Intermediate School's band director 34 years ago. There he developed an awardwinning high school band concept aimed at teaching students how to heeome performers, whieh has led to many of his former students finding careers in the entertainment industry. "When I hear great music or when I hear a student touch their soul in terms of creating music, that is very meaningful for me," he says. ■ Treena Shapiro, afreelance writer, is aformer reporterfor the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and Honolulu Advertiser.

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Gary Washburn, seated at left, Dennis Kauahi, Nola Nahulu, Oswald Stender and Miehael Nakasone were honored as Living Treasures of Hawai'i by Honpa Honwangji of Hawai'i President Alton Miyamoto, back row left, and Bishop Eric Matsumoto. - Photo: īreena Shapiro