Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 5, 1 May 1988 — 'Kuhio Would Not be Disappointed in Civic Clubs' [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

'Kuhio Would Not be Disappointed in Civic Clubs'

Nostalgic Trip Taken in Mauna 'Ala Address

"I believe that Prince Kuhio would not be disappointed in the accomplishments of the civic clubs over the past 70 years. We've stayed on track, insofar as original goals and objectives are concerned. We've grown in the number of clubs and members now participating in the movement. We are continuing to address issues to better the condition of the Hawaiian people. We have formalized and executed a political action arm whieh actively lobbies and delivers testimony at the legislature in support of issues passed at conventions." This was the observation made by Jalna Keala, first woman president of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, in an address Mar. 26 before an overflow crowd at the Mauna 'Ala Chapel eommemorating the birth of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole. Keala, speaking on the subject, "Hawaiian Civic Clubs: Then and Now," was the last of three speakers scheduled by the host Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu whieh was the first club chartered by Prince Kuhio. Preceding Keala were Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawananakoa, grandniece of Prince Kuhio and president of the Friends of lolani Palaee; and Ilima Pi'ianai'a, director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Eaeh addressed different facets in the life and times of Kuhio. Keala, employed by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs as Government Affairs Officer, took a trip down memory lane in the Hawaiian Civic Club movement, noting that 51 years ago in 1937 the officers were: George K. Houghtailing, president; Thelma A. Akana, vice president; Pearl Chaney, recording secretary; Ainsely Mahikoa, financial secretary; Gus K. Sproat, treasurer; and William Bell, auditor. Meetings were held every Friday at the Richards Street YWCA. Before going on her nostalgic tour, Keala explained that "researching and reading through the material I found gave me a tremendous sense of pride in belonging to an organization with a solid history of Hawaiians for Hawaiians." Researching the material at the State Archives also gave her a fascinating trip down memory lane. "The names you are about to hear will be friends and members of your family and for some of you younger members, perhaps a name from a Hawaiian history book," she added. Keala reflected on these oldtime concerns and actions in the Hawaiian Civic Club movement:

• The Committee on Health and Welfare under Eleanor Prendergast reported cooperating with the Tuberculosis Association to reduce the high mortality rate among Hawaiians because of TB. • Dick Mossman, chairman of the Program Committee, thanking the women members of his committee, Lillian Markham and Kathleen Perry for their assistance in handling publicity, programs and planning. • Houghtailing was pleased that the Koolaupoko Branch of the Civic Club in Kaneohe was formed on Nov. 1, 1937. He offered best wishes to its officers: Clinton Kanahele, Mrs. A. B. Kroll, James K. Trask, Mrs. Joseph Adams, JohnTownsend, Edmund Kellet, Honorable D. K. Trask, Honorable George Sims, Akuni Ahau and Fred Antone. • Joseph Dwight and Francis Bowers were charged with investigating the high cost of poi. An acute shortage of taro and the depredation of the crayfish were the reasons reported back by the two men. • Edwin Murray was installed president on Dec. 8, 1938, citing Article III of the constitution whieh is basically the same today. The club was founded

Dec. 6, 1918, by Prince Kuhio as non-political, nonsectarian and worthy in its objects, and that every person of Hawaiian ancestry should join. In 1940, the Hawaiian Civic Club Rehabilitation Committee met weekly for several months to study carefully the problems of the homesteaders in different areas in order to conduct an independent survey and investigation and make recommendations to the club. This was a blue ribbon committee composed of Flora K. Hayes as chairperson with members Gus Sproat, Mary K. Hart, Ethel Paris, Charles Dwight, George Houghtailing, Daniel K. Ainoa, John C. Lane, Jesse Uluihi, Dr. A. K. Kaonohiand Charles Chillingworth. The committee traveled around the islands giving homesteaders an opportunity to submit and discuss their problems. At Nanakuli they were told an amusement center was needed to provide recreation with a part time director or teacher in charge. The committee was also apprised of a delinquency problem in Nanakuli and the chair suggested a curfew law whieh was favorably received. A serious water problem, poor road conditions, proper sewerage, home financing and the probability of heirs with less than 50 percent Hawaiian blood losing their homes were other concerns. On May 9, 1940, the Hawaiian Civic Club of Waianae sponsored a meeting of its rehabilitation committee in Nanakuli with Mrs. Charles Holt presiding. Homestead problems were discussed ^nd Kamokila Campbell near the end of the meeting suggested Nanakuli homesteaders should have their own civic club branch. Keala noted that some of the old'problems have been solved and new problems have arisen but the concepts remain. "I do believe Prince Kuhio would be pleased at our status today — poised as we are to enter the 21st century — recognizing as we do our founders and our beginning. Before we turn to face tomorrow, we celebrate this 117th and every anniversary of his birth as a means to remind ourselves of our creation, our development and our everlasting gratitude for his foresight." It was the first Kuhio service held in the newly renovated ehapel since it was closed in 1976 and reopened last year. The seating capacity is 125, according to Aunty Lydia Namahana Maioho, curator. The Rev. William Kaina of Kawaiahao Church gave the invocation and benediction, the voices of Nalani 01ds and the Waimanalo Homestead Association singers under Pearl Kaopio resounded in the ehapel, the Royal Hawaiian Band under Bandmaster Aaron Mahi played outside and the traditional ho'okupu processional followed the ehapel services.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustees Manu Kahaiali'i, Maui, and Clarence F. T. Ching, Oahu, were among others in ho'okupu procession.

Jalna Keala, president of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, makes her way to Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole's crypt during ho'okupu procession.

Princess Abigail Kekauiike Kawananakoa, grand nieee of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, shovels dirt on a koa plant at federal building. The Prince "looks on" in portait in background.