Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 11, 1 November 2003 — Hawaiian Civic Clubs convene on Kaua'i, seek increased membership [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaiian Civic Clubs convene on Kaua'i, seek increased membership

By Manu Boyd Kaua'i is the perfect site for the 44th Convention of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs (AHCC) since the movement's founder, Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana'ole, was born at Po'ipū on the island's southern shore in 1871. In 1918, Prince Kūhiō established the Hawaiian Civic Club (now the Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu) to encourage education, leadership development and civic involvement among Native Hawaiians. Eighty-

five years later, 47 clubs counting more than 2,200 members make up the associaion whieh extends beyond Hawai'i to Alaska, California, Nevada, Utah and Colorado. Lionel Kaohi of the Kaumuali'i Hawaiian Civic Club also heads the Kaua'i Council, and is this

year's convention host. "E Mālama i ka Maluhia o nā Kāinaka o ka 'Āina " (preserving peaee and tranquility among the people of our land) is this year's theme. The eonvention is set for Nov. 10-16 at the Radisson Kaua'i Beach. AHCC convention chair Harriet Roxburgh, also association director from the O'ahu Council and first vice president for the Prince Kūhiō Hawaiian Civic Club, promises an array of activities for

convention attendees, including cultural workshops, political discussions, a panel of Kaua'i kūpuna, a Kia'i 'Āina Ceded Lands Inventory Project update and an 'aha mele choral singing competition among participating clubs. Dozens of resolutions on myriad Hawaiian

issues have been drafted by clubs and will be deliberated in committee and in plenary sessions. A brand new club is scheduled to be chartered at this year's convention, bringing the number of clubs to four dozen. Led by Lynette Hi'ilani Cruz, the Ka Lei Maile Ali'i Hawaiian Civic Club is being established in honor of Queen Lili'uokalani, and will be chartered pending association approval. "We encourage more Hawaiians to join the Hawaiian Civic Club movement," said Roxburgh, who helps staff the AHCC's non-profit Hawai'i Maoli office. "We have members of all ages, and eaeh club offers something that will be of interest to you and your families." AHCC President Charlie Rose added that, "Prince Kūhiō's objectives in 1918 in fostering education, leadership and community involvement are even more critical today." Call Hawai'i Maoli ine. at 394-0050 for information on how to join a Hawaiian civic club. ■

Hanana Ki'iikawā

Prince Jonah Kuhio