Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 31, Number 12, 1 December 2014 — Kukui Lama Kū Recognition [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Kukui Lama Kū Recognition

n 1989 the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs President initiated the Kukui Lama Ku Recognition, which has now become part of every convention. Recognition is given to those kupuna who are members and have led the way for other members. These kupuna have enlightened members with the flame of the kukui in their quiet, humble, supportive

way without being in the limelight. Council Presidents selected six kupuna this year that were recognized at the Association's Convention. Ku'uleialoha Lydia Fahilga was selected by the 'Ahahui o Na Lei Makalapua. She is a retired businesswoman, full-time volunteer, former president of 'Ainahau o Kaleponi Hawaiian Civic Club and a charter member since 1982. She worked tirelessly in the formation of the Mainland Council and has served in various leadership positions within the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs. Ku'uleialoha has been a recipient of several honors within the association as well as in her community. She serves as a founding member-director for the Pacific Islander Health Partnership that serves Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders for better health and well-being and currently serves as the program manager for Aloha Seniors. Lucille Eunice Kalikolehua Moniz Viveiros Chung was selected by the 'Ahahui o Moku o Keawe. Lucille has worked in various positions throughout her career while also working in the family business. With her current position with Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center Hilo Unit, she continues to spread her aloha in the Puna and Hilo district with plans to retire at the end of 2014. In 1972 Lucille, her husband, Walter, and her parents became charter members of the Hawaiian Civic Club of Laupahoehoe where she faithfully continues to be an active member serving in various capacities. She currently serves as the Club President. Edwina Leina'ala Holt Cacoulidis was selected from by the 'Ahahui

O Na Hono A'o Pi'ilani. Edwina worked for the State Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for over 38 years and retired in 2008 as a Homestead Assistant. She became a member of the Ho'olehua Hawaiian Civic Club on Moloka'i in the early '70s. Edwina currently serves as Ho'olehua Hawaiian Civic Club President. She is also a member

of the 'Ahahui Ka'ahumanu Chapter VIII of Moloka'i and serves as its recording secretary. Clifford and Teri Loo (husband and wife) were selected by the 'Ahahui o Ke One o Kakuhihewa. Both are retired, with Clifford working in the construction field for 36 years and Teri, who worked 22 years with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. They are current members of Ko'olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club but initially were members of Pearl Harbor from 1993. They support the clubs' vision and mission in the many community events, projects and activities they've helped throughout the years. For over 12 years they have also assisted in the gathering of the pShaku for the Kukui Lama Ku Recognition Awards. Wini Ku'ulei Smith was selected by the 'Ahahui O Moku o Manokalanipo. Her involvement in the Hawaiian Civic Club began in 1976 while living in East Long Beach, California, where she was a founding member of the 'Ahahui o Lili'uokalani Hawaiian Civic Club of Southern California. She has co-chaired the first "out of state" Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs Convention at the Disneyland Hotel & Park in Anaheim. She has been a member of South Kohala Hawaiian Civic Club and the Kaumuali'i Hawaiian Civic Club in 2002. Wini is one of the founding members of 'Ahahui Klwila Hawai'i o Mo'ikeha, and she currently serves as its Pelekikena. Mahalo to these individuals for their continued support of an organization that continues to advocate for the well-being of the Native Hawaiian Community. ¦

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Colette Y. Machado Chairperson, Trustee Muloka'i and Lana'i