Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 2, Number 1, 1 January 1985 — Genealogical Research Can Tax Patience [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Genealogical Research Can Tax Patience

A "Gathering of the Clans" is just what it turned out to be during a three-day genealogical conference Nov. 30-Dec. 2 at the Keauhou Beach Hotel in Kona. More than 300 persons from the eight islands and the states of Connecticut, Vermont and California participated in this first effort organized by Herb Kawainui Kane, Mary Spinney Green and Kaheakamanaookaleookalani Beckley. It was co-sponsored by the Kona Genealogical Society, Na Mea Hawaii Consultants and the host Keauhou Beach Hotel. The three organizers, who proclaimed themselves "amateurs in this sort of thing," nonetheless were fueled by the enthusiasm, interest and participation exhibited by those in attendance. Hawaiians, especially the older ones, made up the bulk of the participants. Attendance by young Hawaiians was small in number. The older participants, however, were really wrapped up in the conference. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs was very mueh in the thick of the program, sponsoring the workshop, "Genealogy of the Land," with a panel of experts headed by Attorney Kaipo Kincaid who worked for several law firms in Hawaii including the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation. Currently residing in Kona, Kaipo has concentrated on land matters in whieh the use of genealogical research has helped determine ownership of land and state of title. Also appearing on the OHA panel with Kaipo and describing various aspects of the subject matter were NHLC Attorney Alieia Nihipali; Wayne Davis of Hawaiian Electric Industries and a devoted archivist; and lrma Agard of the Department of Health's Bureau of Vital Statistics. Among trustees in attendance at the OHAsponsored workshop were Chairman Joseph Kealoha, Moses Keale, Moanikeala Akaka and Rodney Burgess. They were also seen at other workshops. These included Albert Nawahi Like and his explanations on how to do a family tree; Edith Kawelohea Kapule McKinzie's descriptions on how a professional genealogist works; Rubellite Kawena Kinney Johnson's genealogy through Hawaiian chants; Hawaii Chinese history and how to search out Chinese ancestors; and a workshop by Alaskan Tlingit lndian leader Judson Brown who talked on how a computer may be utilized in genealogical work. There were also several panel discussions whieh

included an all-Hawaiian language talk session with Gregory Kalahikiola Nali'i'elua or plain Papa Kala, OHA kupuna; and a discussion on historical influences on Hawaiian people and culture, more especially covering the period between 1778 and 1848. The latter had a battery of panelists whieh included Kane, Abraham Piianaia, Napua Stevens Poire, Rep. Kinau Boyd Kamalii, Prof. Kalani Meineeke, Sherwood Greenwell and others from the historical society. The workshops and panel discussions were wellattended and there were many questions asked. At the workshop on genealogy through Hawaiian chants, many asked for help in finding their ohana. "Please help," was the cry from those who took the microphone to explain their respective genealogies as best as they could. "We all want to know where we eame from and who is my family? Where are they and how many of us ean be counted today?" were other pleas for kokua. In the workshop of family tree, "young" Like, who celebrated his 85th birthday in December, explained that all families with the same last name are not necessarily related. As an example, he cited the name Keawe. He said Keawe in most cases is a shortened version of a longer name with the second, third, fourth and other syllables cut off to make it what it is today. Therefore, he explained, when trying to form your family tree under Keawe, one must first determine what the original Keawe name was. The one on Chinese history drew large crowds, many of whom were unaware of the fact that the first Chinese to eome to Hawaii were not those who worked the plantations. In fact, the Chinese had eome mueh earlier in 1 789. This is why the Hawaii Chinese H istory Center is planning a big bicentennial celebration in 1989. All the panel discussions and workshops were immense storehouses of information that it was impossible for participants to cover eaeh one completely. It was a challenging effort by the coordinators and that they succeeded was very mueh in evidence. It was surely a coming together of the clans, many different clans, who lay the cornerstone of solidarity despite their many moods and differences. It is hoped. according to the coordinators, this ean become a biennial function.

Panelists in the OH A-sponsored workshopfrom left to right are Alieia Nihipali, Kaipo Kincaid, Irma Agard and Wayne Davis.

Trustee Moses K. Keale Sr. strikes a serious pose as he views workshop intently. Keale represents Kauai and Niihau.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chairman Joseph Kealoha mulls over his notes during OHA-sponsored workshop.

Trustee Moanikeala Akaka of Hawaii is captured by the OHA camera busily taking notes of the workshop discussions.

This is what the crowd looked like at opening ceremonies of the Kona Genealogical Society's "Gathering of the Clans" conference on the poolside lanai of the Keauhou Beach Hotel.

Albert Like tells his audience how to start a family tree.

OHA kupuna Papa Kala conducts all Hawaiian language session.