Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 40, Number 7, 1 July 2023 — Hawai'i to Washington, D.C. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawai'i to Washington, D.C.

V LEO 'ELELE V ^ TRUSTEE MESSAGES "

King Kamehameha Statue Lei Draping, OHA D.C. Office Open House, and "Hawai'i on the Hill" Gorgeous lei, flowers from Hawai'i, Hawaiian music, hula, and messages of aloha filled the halls of the U.S. Capitol as we celebrated King Kamehameha 'Ekahi in Washington, D.C. Lei draping of the statues of our beloved King Kamehameha the Great and Saint Damien

took plaee as we gathered to honor our historic Hawai'i leaders. OHA Trustees presented lei with this year's theme "Au'a 'ia ka Lāhui."

The ceremony speeches spoke of the unifying leadership of King Kamehameha I and his words to carry on his good work, as well as the legacies of our Hawaiian monarchs and leaders of yesteryear and today, lovingly acknowledging my dearest Pa, U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, all leading with aloha and celebrating diversity to be the change that

Mahalo to our lady leaders, OHA Board Chair Hulu Lindsey, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, and U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono for their memorable messages, and to OHA's trustees, CEO, Chief of Staff, dignitaries, officials, Aunty Darlene Kēhaulani and her 'ohana, the Hawai'i State Society of Washington, D.C., the office of Rep. Tokuda, various Hawaiian organizations, emcees, lei presenters, performers, and the many others who make this celebration continue. As we celebrated at our new OHA Washington, D.C., Bureau Open House, seeing familiar faces, getting to know attendees, and talking story with our young 'Ōiwi leaders who participated in

the Daniel K. Akaka Congressional Fellowship made the day that mueh more special as we gathered near the portrait of my Pa with OHA trustees and the D.C. delegation to eommemorate the then newly opened OHA D.C. Bureau back in 2003 - exactly 20 years prior. Our time in Wakinekona (Washington) at our nation's capital provided key opportunities to further cultivate our relationships with our county, state onn I ome lofArc \A/o nin

and tederai legislators. had productive meetings with all four Hawai'i congressional members, discussing top priorities and mindful engagement of federal options, including the inventory of Hawaiian ceded lands, Hakuone, aina and wai. Hawai'i's presence continued with the 7th Annual "Hawai'i on the Hill" and "Taste of Hawai'i on the Hill," that showcased 'ono loeal products. Mahalo to Hawai'i Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Sherry Menor-McNamara, Sen. Hirono, and sponsors, bringing Hawai'i businesses and representatives to Capitol Hill. The new connections and reconnections, and our time together, brought the spirit of aloha from Hawai'i to Washington, D.C. ■

Kaleihikina Akaka Trustee, O'ahu

Trustee Akaka and her 'ohana at the King Kamehameha statue.- Courtesy Photo we seek.

Akaka and her 'ohana with Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke and her son, Logan.- Courtesy Photo

Aloha shared between U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, baby Ana Kapuūhilehuūūiwaiwamūikahikinai'ōlū'ū and the Akoko 'Ohono. - Photo: Office of U.S. Senotor Mozie Hirono