Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 34, Number 9, 1 September 2017 — Royal society hosts successful convention [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Royal society hosts successful convention

Uale ONā Ali'iO Hawai'i held their 67 th annual convention in

I I Kalama'ula, I I Moloka'ifrom July 27 through July 29, 2017. The convention was hosted by Hālau 'O Kawānanakoa, Helu 'Elima of Moloka'i. Hale O Nā Ali'i O Hawai'i is one of the four royal societies, or 'Aha Hīpu'u, along with The Royal Order of Kamehameha I, 'Ahahui Ka'ahumanu, and Māmakakaua. Hale O Nā Ali'i O Hawai'i . was reorganized on April 7, 1918, and secured with a Charter of Incorporation, including a Constitution, Bylaws and Rules and Regulations, written in both Hawaiian ! and English. Hale O < Nā Ali'i O Hawai'i perpetuates our 'Ōlelo | Hawai'i, and our eul- ( ture and traditions, (

while looking after the welfare of our communities. There are seven hālau across the islands - Hālau 'OWahīika'ahu'ula (Honolulu, O'ahu), Hālau 'O Kalākaua (Hilo, Hawai'i), Hālau 'O Kapi'olani (Kaua'i), Hālau 'O Lili'uokalani (Maui), Hālau 'O Kawānanakoa (Moloka'i), Hālau O Keli'iahonui (Waimea, Hawai'i) and Hālau 'O Po'omaikelani (Kapolei, O'ahu). The history of the annual gath-

erings for Hale O Nā Ali'i dates back to March 29, 1947. Princess Abigail Wahīka'ahu'ula

Kawānanakoa recognized a need for the hālau, from different islands, to meet, reconnect, and have friendly interactions with one another. The annual meetings were an important opportunity to share mana'o, especiaily during chailenging times. Over the course of this year's convention, the delegates had breakout sessions, heard from guest speakers, held their gen-

erat meeting, ana even had a Song Contest. OHA provided kāko'o to Hale O Nā Ali'i in securing space at the Kūlana 'Ōiwi Hālau. I was able to attend and was honored to address the attendees on the Friday of the convention. Despite the overall success of the convention, there was also an underlying eoneem

with low membership numbers. The overall membership of Hale o Nā Ali'i has struggled in recent years, with only 215 registered active members in 2017. This is a stark contrast from 2013 to 2015, when membership was as high as 1,000 members. The hālau have been directed to increase

their membership by 25 percent. With seven hālau across our islands, and on the precipice of their 100th anniversary, it is crueial that they are successful in their membership goals. This task at hand may seem challenging, eonsidering the 80 percent decline in membership in recent years. But I am encouraged by the words of our beloved Queen Lili'uokalani -"Never cease to act because you fear you may fail." ■

LEO 'ELELE V TRUSTEE MESSSAGES "

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Cūlette Y. Machadū Chair, Trustee Malaka'i and Lāna'i

Ihair Machado sharing nana'o with the conferenee delegates.

Hailama Farden, Waikululani Cockett, Ku'ulei Hughes-Okada and Maui County Councilwoman Stacy Crivello, with a recognition certificate presented by Councilwoman Crivello. - Photos: Courtesy ofKa'ōmaka Aki