Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 26, Number 10, 1 ʻOkakopa 2009 — Maui shines brightly [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Maui shines brightly

/A no'ai kākou, 1 / \ Early in the morning, before 1 sunrise, on Sept. 4, at the heaeh ] /^^^ fronting the Grand Wailea ] / \ Resort and Spa, a large group i gathered as the moon silently set helow the I tranquil sea. At the next bay over, fronting the ( Four Seasons, 16 canoes, including a double 1 hull, were launched and soon appeared replac- ( ing the moon on the horizon. They gathered I in a line and awaited the sounding of the pū I

from shore. Pū from the canoes responded ind they began the paddle toward shore as :he sun began to rise behind us. This occasion iad been planned and coordinated by Kahu Keli'i Tau-a and Kahu Kimokeo Kapahulehua in conjunction with the Maui Native Hawailan Chamber of Commerce. The canoes :ransported kūpuna bringing to an ahu built for the occasion, 12 pōhaku from the 12 moku uf Maui and four ko'i to be presented to the 5rst four recipients of the annual Ko'i Awards :o be given that evening. The morning was clear, the water mālie, :he air crisp and the conjunction of moonset ind sunrise, breathtaking. After the pōhaku ind ko'i were placed on the ahu guarded by āve Queen's Guards, protocol, blessings and aula were performed. Representatives of the Royal Order, Queen Ka'ahumanu Society, Hale O Nā Ali'i, Hawaiian Civic Club and uther Maui cultural specialists and prac:itioners stood by in quiet reverence as the :eremonies concluded. The ahu, whieh had leen itself dedicated a few days earlier, was :onstructed by Wayne Yap, an employee of :he Grand Wailea. Upon the conclusion of :he ceremonies paddlers and dancers engaged

in welcoming protocol on the heaeh to the delight of those remaining in the area. Thereafter, we assembled at the Haleakalā Ballroom for the opening ceremonies of the third annual Biz Fest. Brickwood Galuteria and Kimo Kahoano continued their radio broadcast after reporting the morning's activities and were a hit with the attendees. The remainder of the day included three panels on water, land planning, and the future of Hawaiian lands with an excellent array of panelists. Luneh was capped with a talk by Gov. Linda Lingle, who brought up some interesting observations: 1) We need to set our priorities, 2) We need to recognize the consequences of our choices, and 3) We need to focus on: What do we stand for instead of what are we against? After a short break we reassembled for dinner and the chamber's first annual Ko'i Awards dinner honoring Nainoa Thompson, Vaughn Vasconcellos, the Grand Wailea Hotel and the chamber's first president. We appreciate Sen. Akaka attending and staying till the very end as well as updating us on S. 1011 and other matters. He was followed by Nainoa Thompson, who in speaking of his

experiences with his friend, astronaut Stacy Veech, weaved a story of courage and respect for our culture. Keli'i Tau-a's hālau performed original hulas created for the ko'i award and the Hōkūle'a. The Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce and OHA have worked well together especially through Mark Glick and his crew. The Puhlie Information Office under Blaine Fergerstrom and the CRCs, īhelma Shimaoka and Roy Newton, and Maui girl Malia Schneider helped all day. From the chamber side there were so many that eontributed their time and effort that it is difficult to single out; however, Chubby Vicens, Kai Pelayo, Keoni Woo and Pamela Alesna, Ron Vaught and Roxanne Henderson led the way. As a member of the chamber and also a trustee, I see the benefit of loeal Native Hawaiian chambers and appreciate the O'ahu chamber for its leadership over the years. I hope we ean encourage Hawaiians on the other islands to eome together and offer another opportunity for Hawaiians who might be interested in eeonomie self-sufficiency through success in business, leadership, family and culture. If interested, let me know. Mahalo, aloha nō. ■

Būyd P. Mūssman , TrustEE, Maui ;