Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 2, Number 5, 1 Mei 1985 — Hawaii's Gumapac is New President [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaii's Gumapac is New President

'Aha Puhala State Conference Auq. 23-24

'Aha Puhala Ine. is finalizing plans for its fourth lauhala conference and second statewide meeting whieh is scheduled this year for Aug. 23-24 at the Turtle Bay Hilton Hotel on Oahu's North Shore. The organization's state board, meeting Mar. 15 in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs conference room, approved the dates and elected new officers for the 1985-86 fiscal year beginning July 1.

Charles Gumapac of Hawaii is the new president, succeeding Esther Kakalia Westmoreland. Other officers were Betty Jenkins, vice president; Ka'iwa Meyer, secretary; and Pua'ala McElhaney, treasurer. Island directors elected were Kau'i Billups, Hawaii; Kea kealani Mitchell, Maui; Margaret Aipoalani, Kauai-Niihau; Carol Ah Toong, Molokai-Lanai; Agnes K. Cope, Oahu. Kupuna and lauhala artisans from throughout the state will make up the nucieus of those attending the conference. Loeal residents and visitors are weleome to attend any of the workshops where artisans will instruct, display and in some cases sell their products.

Most of the conferees will be staying at the Turtle Bay Hilton where they are being offered a special weekend paekage. Those requiring room reservations are requested to make them directly with the Turtle Bay Hilton, telephone 293-8811, indicating you will be with 'Aha Puhala. Seventy kupuna and artisans attended last year's conferenee on Maui and 1985 planners predict a slightly larger attendance this time around.

The conference will officially open Aug. 23 with registrations at 8 a.m. and a brief opening ceremony an hour later. Workshops will take up the rest of the morning and the entire afternoon. Workshops continue on Saturday, Aug. 24, throughout

the day and will be climaxed by a banquet and fun night at 7 p.m.at the hotel. There is a $5 registration fee and a banquet cost of $20, both of whieh must be submitted to Pua'ala McElhaney at P.O. Box 1186, Haleiwa, Hawaii 96712. Checks are to be made payable to 'Aha Puhala ine. Deadline for reservation is Aug. 9. Participants may bring their own lauhala materials or they may be purchased at the conference. Plans for preconference activities are in the talking stage and are being pursued.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Human Services Specialist Sam Holt is the conference chairman. He is being assisted by OHA Kupuna Coordinator Betty Jenkins. Turtle Bay Sales Manager Katsu Sugaya and Linda Chauvin of his staff are pulling out all stops to make this a memorable workshop. They assured Holt all delegates, artisans and other participants ean look forward to a pleasant stay and Hilton hospitality in its finest aloha spirit. They weleome the workshop and noted what a rewarding cultural experience it would be for the hotel's other guests and visitors.

Members of the 'Aha Puhala state board met recently in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs conference room. From left to right around the table are Betty Jenkins, Esther Makuaole, Mrs. Charles Gumapac, president-elect Gumapac, Ka'iwa Meyer, Esther Westmoreland (partially hidden), Agnes K. Cope, Papa Kala and Sam Holt, both with backs to camera.