Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 17, Number 12, 1 Kekemapa 2000 — SPECIAL EVENTS FEATURE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SPECIAL EVENTS FEATURE

OHA V trustee investiture importunt culturally, spiritually

By Manu Boyd KAMANA'OLANA MILLS, OHA evaluations manager and former culture specialist, remembers a few investiture ceremonies of the board of trustees, the hiennial event where the board publicly affirms its commitment to serve. "It's a time for the new board to accept their kuleana in upholding the mission of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, whieh is to better the conditions of all Hawaiians," said Mills. "Unlike taking the oath of office, required of public officials, the investiture is more eultural and spiritual. Its Hawaiianness reminds us of who we are as a people," he added. Kawaiaha'o Church has been the event venue for many years, appropriate for its history of bringing leaders and the general publie together in worship. Typically festooned for the holidays, the December event brings

trustees, their families, royal societies, government leaders, OHA staff and the public together. Oli (chants), pule (prayers), mele (songs) and ha'i'ōlelo (speeches) are a part of the service whieh blends Hawaiian and Christian beliefs into a celebration of life.

Kinolau, symbolic plants including koa, 'ulu and kukui, are displayed for their "kaona" alluding to strength, growth and enlightenment. "The cultural symbol of office for the

trustees is a lei hulu or feather lei whieh is specially made by master feather artists Mary Louise Kekuewa and her daughter, Paulette Kahalepuna," explained Mills. "Feather leis have their own kind of protocol, and are not worn together with fresh leis. The making of these leis takes hundreds of hours of hard, skillful work. Throughout their tenure, the trustees wear their leis at important oeeasions." Investiture 2000 is scheduled for Dec. 20 at 10 a.m„ and will be officiated by the newly named kahu of Kawaiaha'o, The Rev. Dr. James Fung. After, traditional foods will be served pūpū-style, another traditional facet incorporated. This year's theme, " Moku ka Pawa," literally means that "the pre-dawn darkness is broken." And as with the dawning of a new day, we, as a community, embrace the opportunity to prevail. ■

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Kupuna Mālia Craver speaks at a past OHA Board of Trustees lnvestiture at Kawaiaha'o Church.