Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 26, Number 6, 1 Iune 2009 — He Hawaiʻi mau a mau [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

He Hawaiʻi mau a mau

Chairperson Haunani Apoīiona invited Tee Furtado, who is serving herfirst term as president ofthe Mainland Councū ofthe Association ofHawaiian Civic Clubs, to

write this month 's eolumn. A past secretarv, first vi.ee president and president of 'Ahahui Kīwila Hawai'i o San Di.ego (Hawaiian ■ Civic Club), Furtado has also setyed as the Mainland CounciFs director, treasurer and fi.rst vice presi.dent. A

Sacred Hearts Academy graduate, she eameel bachelor's and master's degrees from Chami.nade College and i.s the pri.nci.pal at Blessed Sacrament Parish School i.n San Di.ego. Bom into the Keahiolalo 'ohana ofWaipi'o, Hawai'i, Furtado i.s a hānai. ofthe Furtado fami.ly ofMakawao, Maui. As we look back at our history, Native Hawaiians have been a people who looked to the heavens and traveled far distances. This sense of adventure brought them to our beloved 'āina whieh we eall our home, Hawai'i Nei. Likewise, this tendency is still a part of our people and many have continued to travel across the oeean to new lands across the continental United States, Alaska and other parts of the world. The statistics of Census 2000 identified that 40 percent of Native Hawaiians live outside the 'āina, with more than 60,000 settling in California alone. Some eame to further their education, others to find new jobs, and still others to make a fresh start. Whatever the reason, these Native Hawaiians brought with them the culture, customs, values and traditions passed on by kūpuna and continue to pass these on to several generations of keiki and to others who became their new neighbors and friends. In order to foster these traditions Native Hawaiians founded their hui that allowed them to gather, to socialize, to remember and to teach our culture to all. As time passed, a number of the hui wanted to be more involved and keep closer ties with what was

going on in Hawai'i Nei. They may have left the Islands, but Hawai'i was where their hearts remained. What better way to do this than to become a part of the largest grassroots organization in the Islands, the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs? Several of the hui where chartered and entered the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs beginning in the mid-1970s. By 1988 the Mainland Council of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs was chartered at the association's annual convention. At this point the eouneil included five clubs from California, Utah, Nevada and Colorado and became the fifth eouneil of the association. Since that time, the eouneil has grown to 12 clubs as the association's work has spread to Hawaiians in Alaska, a third club in California, a second club in Utah, a new club in Colorado, Virginia/Maryland/Washington, D.C., area, Illinois, Washington and finally, Tennessee. Eaeh one is unique; yet we have a eommon bond. We all have a story to share that has brought us to where we are today. Mine is not remarkable, but while growing up in the Islands, I was urged by my grandfather to do two things: stand tall and proud to be Hawaiian and study hard so that I ean do for others. These words of wisdom have remained with me and have served as guideposts throughout my life. Part of that was as nā 'ōpio within the 'Ewa Hawaiian Civic Club, whieh provided scholarships for my high school and college education. Furthering my education and work brought me to California where it is now my turn to give back. As pelekikena for the Mainland Council, the post comes with both a sense of pride and awesome responsibility; yet it is one that I do not do alone. Our component clubs are very busy striving to fulfill the mission of the association. 'Ōlelo classes, genealogy workshops, heahh projects, Hawaiian craft workshops, mele, hula and 'ukulele classes, activities for 'ohana and outrigger eanoe regattas are being held. Fund raising for the purpose of providing scholarships and Kau Inoa signups continue, as does our outreach to Hawaiians in other states to assist and inform them of the Hawaiian Civic Club movement. We look forward to the newest club getting ready to be chartered hailing from Texas. The association's work is alive and well on the continent. 6/48 ■

LEO 'ELELE ■ TRUSTEE M ESSAG ES KA WAI OLA | ĪHE LIVING WATER 0F OHA

Haunani Apnlinna. MSW ChairpErsnn, TrustEE, At-largE

Tee Furtado