Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 6, 1 Iune 1989 — Testimonial Dinner July 3 Honors Senator Inouye [ARTICLE]

Testimonial Dinner July 3 Honors Senator Inouye

A testimonial dinner for U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye will be hosted July 3 by the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs in recognition of his exemplary efforts to assist Native Hawaiians in the United States Congress. The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs is comprised of 43 member clubs on all major islands of Hawai'i, and in Utah, Califomia and Colorado. It was founded in 1918 by Hawaiian leaders such as Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, who saw the need to establish a civic organization to assist a socially, culturally and physically declining Hawaiian race. The association annually names an outstanding civic club member, outstanding Hawaiian, and outstanding non-Hawaiian. In 1988 Senator Inouye was named the outstanding non-Hawaiiān and received a resolution from the convention ". . . for his compassionate and extraordinary leadership on behalf of Native Hawaiians in the Congress of the United States of America." Inouye was cited for his aloha in paying special attention to the acute and unique needs of Native Hawaiians by including them in Native American legislation, enabling social and eeonomie self-suffi-ciency within a culturally appropriate context. It was also noted that he has consistently provided wise counsel and leadership in protecting and increasing many other benefits to Native Hawaiians despite an overall decrease in minority programs under the past administration. The Native Hawaiian Education Act and the Native Hawaiian Health Care Act are but two recent examples of Inouye's advocacy and effectiveness. Both landmark legislative measures, the

acts provide educational and health resources to address pressing needs of Native Hawaiians in innovative ways. The Civic Clubs invite other Hawaiianorganizations and agencies to join them at the testimonial dinner to acknowledge and recognize Inouye's contributions, as well as individuals and the general public. Space is limited to a 600 seating so early purchase of tickets is recommended. President of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs is Jalna Keala, and honorary chairman of the event is Myron "Pinky" Thompson, Bishop Estate trustee and member of the Prince Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club, who has worked on Hawaiian issues with Senator Inouye for many years. General chair of the event is Annelle Amaral (Ali'i Pauahi HCC); assisted by committee chairs Kauila CIark (Nanaikapono HCC), program and entertainment; Rona Rodenhurst (Princess Kaiu-

lani HCC), leis and decorations; Dexter Soares (Kalihi-Palama HCC), booklet and tickets; Peter Ching (Pearl Harbor HCC), solicitations; Neil Hannahs (Prince Kuhio HCC), publicity; and Betty Lou Stroup (Prince Kuhio HCC), treasurer. The testimonial dinner is set for Monday, July 3 at the Honolulu Country Club in Salt Lake. There is plenty of free parking available, witheasy access on and off Moanalua Freeway. No-host cocktails and reception are from 5:30-6:30 p.m., with dinner and program from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Aloha attire is suggested. Cost of eaeh ticket is $25. Checks should be made payable to the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, and mailed to P.O. Box 1135, Honolulu, HI 96807 before June 21, 1989. No reservations will be taken without payment. Contacts for further information are: Kuulei at 531-0666, or Betty Lou at 3%-8528.