Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 10, 1 ʻOkakopa 1987 — Betty Jenkins is New ʻAha Puhala President [ARTICLE]

Betty Jenkins is New ʻAha Puhala President

Betty Kawohiokalani Ellis Jenkins, Community Kupuna Coordinator for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, is the new president of 'Aha Puhala ine., succeeding Charles Gumapac of Hilo. Jenkins and other officers were elected during the fifth annual conference of the organization Aug. 20-22 at the Waiakea Villas in Hilo. Also elected were Audrey Corpuz, vice president; Diane Yotsuda, secretary; and Pua'ala McElhaney, treasurer (reelected). Agene K. Cope is the O'ahu director. Hawaii Mayor Dante Carpenter welcomed the group and the conference address was given by Dr. William Henry Wilson, chairman of the University of Hawaii Hilo Department of Hawaiian Studies who is also a state board member of 'Aha Punana Leo. The -Hawaiian language pre-schoolers, who are in a Hawaiian immersion program, also made a presentation before a very appreciative audience. Many of the kupuna on hand were delighted at the command of the Hawaiian langauge possessed by these youngsters and the work of Punana Leo. Master weaver of the conference was Minnie Ka'awaloa of Puna and other lead weavers from Hawaii were Florence Aiona and Louise Keli'iho'omalu, both of Puna; Cecilia Johnson and Elizabeth Lee, Kona; Auntie Kalani, Ka'u; and Aliee Aumua, Hilo. A field trip to gather lauhala, weaving workshops, evaluation meetings and entertainment made up the major portion of the scheduled events.