Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 32, Number 12, 1 December 2015 — E Mau Ko Kākou Lāhui E Hoʻomau [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

E Mau Ko Kākou Lāhui E Hoʻomau

Fo e nā 'ōiwi 'ōlino, na pulapula a Hāloa, mai Hawai'i a Ni'ihau, puni ke ao mālamalama. MahalotoScottvBowman

for his two recent Ka Wai Ola pieces highlighting historic endeavors of Native Hawaiians on the Continent. We look forward to future mo'olelo from our "RV" travelers, Scotty and Lynne. On a note closer to home, Ko'olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club brought the sounds of music and mo'olelo to the Windward Mall Center Court with its 2015 Nā Mele Ko'olaupoko Song Composers Contest. Congratulations to the winners in the Hawaiian Snirit Comnetition:

Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett for 'O Ka Pualeilani 'Oe, Herman Marciel and Mihana Souza for Malama Honua, and Gwendolyn Lee for He Inoa o Kailua, AND the winners in the Professional Category: E'ala Ste-vens-Britos for Roots and Branches, Dwight Kana'e for Mahalo Ko'olau, and Rod Martin for Kahalu'u. Also mahalo to the 2015 Nā Mele Judges: Aaron

Mahi, Teresa Bright, Jerry Santos and Haunani Apoliona and to all who attended this community event. Check out www.koolaupokohcc.org. Ka Hale Ho'āla Hou No Nā Wāhine, under the directorship of Lorraine Robinson withTJMahoney &Associates, transitioned into their new hale at the YWCA Fernhurst on Wilder Avenue. We joined in the blessing of the program with beautiful hula and gifted classical concerto played on a portable keyboard. Ka Hale Ho'āla Hou No Nā Wāhine; celebrating a very inspiring group of women. On September 18 the Waipā Poi Mill eelebrated their Grand Opening of the Kitchen and Hale Imu. A dream eome true for the residents of Kaua'i's north shore and a eontinuing commitment to "aloha 'āina" by the Waipā Foundation. It was an honor to have been there to see how great it looks. Mahalo to all the helping hands that continue to "Kūlia I Ka Nu'u." The 5th graders of Maryknoll School

ventured out to Waimea Valley to get their hands dirty, so to speak. Part of the group of 92 students got to till the 'āina and cultivate a small mauka sec-

tion of the valley while the other students collected the seedlings for planting. After the planting, they all hiked up to the falls and had a great time watching the waterfall and relaxing. Mahalo nui to Richard Pezzulo and his staff for making the 5th graders' visit memorable. The movement forward in Hawaiian governance toward the 'Aha is a historic step for Native Hawaiians and for Hawai'i. The names and bios of candidates are

posted on the Na'i Aupuni website and the voting has already begun. The voting ends on November 30. This is history in the making for Hawaiians. Efforts in selfdetermination are renewed eaeh step of the way. My staff Reynold and Louise, remind me that we are moving closer to the hustle and bustle of the holidays; waiting in long lines, sitting in the "parking lot" of traffic and getting stiff-necked from texting. Through it all, Reynold Freitas and Louise Yee Hoy and I, would like to wish you and your 'ohana peaee and good heahh always and the safest and happiest of holidays. We look forward to your continuing support of our stewardship and efforts on behalf of our Native Hawaiian beneficiaries and Native Hawaiian Trust. We anticipate a promising and prosperous 2016. We wish the same for you and your 'ohana. "Me Ka Malulani a Kākou". 36/48 ■

Haunani Apnlinna, MSW TrustEE, At-largE

Aide, Reynold Freitas, Trustee, Haunani Apoliona and Aide, Louise Yee Hoy. Photo: Francine Murray