Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 31, Number 11, 1 November 2014 — Native Hawaiian Convention Nafive Artists and Business Networking Reception [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Native Hawaiian Convention Nafive Artists and Business Networking Reception

The 13th annual Native Hawaiian Convention took plaee Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 at the Hawai'i Convention Center, attracting hundreds of attendees eaeh day to learn the latest on affordable housing, education, health care, homesteading, OHA grants programs, sovereignty and more. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs served as the title sponsor for the eonvention, whieh was organized by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, a nonprofit comprised of more than 150 Native Hawaiian member organizations. This year, to more actively support Native Hawaiian businesses, OHA's Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund program nixed its usual presentation on the Mālama Loan and instead sponsored an all-day small business and eeonomie development caucus and funded scholarships for 18 Hawaiian entrepreneurs to attend. (See story on previous page.) The day was followed by an OHA-supported Native Artists and Business Networking Reception, where dozens of creative and entrepreneurial types mingled among the sculptures, carvings and floor-to-ceiling installations being exhibited and sold. Members of the Business Community Network were also invited to the reception, bringing a diverse group of entrepreneurs together to share, learn and build potential working relationships. Here are pictures from the night's gathering. - Photos: Lisa Asato I

1. An eye-catch-ing pieee, 1itled "Maka 'Ohi'a Lehua," by artist Carl F.K. Pao. 2. Pao with daughter Te Rerehau Pao-Tamaira. 3. From left, Kimo Olds of Ha'aheo Services LLC, mingled with Trini Aba-ya-Wright of Central Pacific Bank, Derek Bradley and business partner Kelly Keliikoa of Goodyear Brady Service Center, Jeremy Dunaway of State Farm lnsurance and Terry Tanaka of Central Pacific Bank. 4 "This is fresh Hawaiian 'awa, so going be 'ono," said Lāiana Kanoa-Wong, a self-described aloha 'āina practitioner, as he prepped 'awa. For a cupful, Kanoa-Wong accepted no payment, but tips were weleome. 5. Central Pacific Bank Mililani Branch manager Terry Tanaka, left, posed with 0HA's Keith Yabusaki, who oversees the agency's grants and loans programs. 6. Ipu artist Tamsen Fox knelt by her work that layered a few pieces of a second gourd on the surface of the main, carved gourd. 7. Artist Kahi Ching, right, posed with Henry Ha'o fronting Ha'o's acrylic painhna inspired bv Maunawili Vallev. "The

stream is what draws you into it, the subtleties," Ha'o says of the painting. 8. Lauhala weaver Gwen Kamisugi, a student of Gladys Grace, rolled lauhala leaves in preparation for weaving. 9. Jordan Souza's "Preservation" pieee places ki'i carved from carrots and sweet potato in a vinegar bath. 1 0. Sculptor Charlton Kūpa'a Hee stood by his pieee "Maka," created with ceramic and automotive paint. He and Carl F.K. Pao have an exhibit this month in downtown Honolulu. (See story on page 26.)

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