Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 12, 1 December 2010 — Civic clubs convene in Kona for 51st annual convention [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Civic clubs convene in Kona for 51st annual convention

By Lisa Asato

Hawaiian civic club members eame from all corners of Hawai'i and the U.S. continent for the recent Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs Convention, where delegates debated and voted on resolutions focused on Native Hawaiian rights, way-of-life, employment and housing, eeonomie development, health, programs, education and benefits and trusts that were submitted by clubs for consideration as the Association's commendations and priority policy advocacy agenda for the coming year. Delegates also elected a new president and other officers, attended workshops on a slew of subjects from Hawaiian homesteads to the Akaka bill, and reconnected with old friends through cultural tours, 'Aha Mele, huaka'i and other activities. More than 500 attended the 5 lst annual convention themed "He ali'i ka 'āina; he kauwā ke kanaka - The land is chief; man is its servant." OHA was the lead sponsor of the weeklong convention held Nov. 7 to 15 at Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa on Hawai'i Island. Keynote speaker OHA CEO Clyde Nāmu'o updated the gathering on the status of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, saying it is crucial that it pass before the new Congress enters

in 2011, given the results of the midterm elections. In November, U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka formally introduced the compromise version of the bill agreed upon in August by Senators Akaka and Inouye and

Governor Lingle. Nāmu'o said NHGRA, also known as the Akaka bill, is not a panaeea for "all of our woes" but it does provide an "adequate legal shield for many of the challenges we face" when it comes to Hawaiian-only or Hawai-ian-preference programs, such as Kamehameha Schools, the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Nāmu'o said the civic clubs do important work in communities, and that's why he has long encouraged OHA's support of them through financial assistance. He also said

the convention was so important that he brought his entire Executive Team with him: COO Stanton Enomoto, CFO Richard Pezzulo, Community Relations Director Denise Iseri-Matsubara, Research Director Dr. Kamana'opono Crabbe andChief Advocate Esther Kia'āina. OHA Trustees also attended, as did Special Assistant to the CEO Martha Ross and Tim Johnson, Bureau

Chief of OHA's office in Washington, D.C. Many from OHA gave presentations on various topics, including the Akaka bill and how civic club members ean be involved, Native

Hawaiians and the criminal-justice system, and OHA's 20 1 1 legislative agenda. Nāmu'o and OHA Chairperson Haunani Apoliona addressed youth from the Farrington High School Hawaiian Academy, educating them about the Akaka bill and how they ean be involved onee they become of voting age. In other matters, Nāmu'o encour-

aged attendees to apply for OHA's various grants and loans, including the $75,000 Mālama Loan for business, home improvement and education. OHA has also begun a search for a building of its own, whieh will serve as its headquarters and, upon passage of the Akaka bill, be transferred to a Native Hawaiian governing entity, he said. He also asked civic clubs for their support at the State Legislature this year, when OHA again asks lawmakers to settle its past-due revenues owed to Native Hawaiians for the use of ceded lands. "That's at least $200 million," that OHA could be using to fund projects right now, he said. Nāmu'o praised outgoing Association President Leimomi Khan, saying she did "a phenomenal job at the Legislature during her two terms. You ean be truly proud of the work Leimomi has done." Khan stepped down because of term limits. The new President, Soulee Stroud, is the first member living on the continent to serve in the top

position. "This is really a historic first," Stroud said later in a phone interview from his home in Salt Lake City, Utah. Stroud, a member of the Hui Hawai'i O Utah civic club, has committed to spending January to June in Hawai'i so he ean advocate at the Legislature. Along with Stroud, the members of the Association's new Executive Committee are: Annelle Amaral, First Vice President; Bucky Leslie, Second Vice President; Alberta Low, Treasurer; and Khan, the immediate Past President. For Stroud, a highlight of the convention was "going

back to Hawai'i Island where 60 years ago I was bom." "The path that I've been on has led to me where I am today and to have the honor of serving as the President is quite humbling," he said. "Part of the highlight too is to really truly see that the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs is a recognized voice for the Hawaiian people and that's evident in the work the Association

does especially at convention. For example, this year there were over 55 resolutions that eame out of the convention and these resolutions will be passed on to loeal, state, federal governments, community organizations, or family members in remembrance of a loved one." Copies of a resolution honoring the master navigators of Hawai'i nei and the Polynesian Voyaging Society for their dedication and commitment to the voyaging eommunity were presented to Nainoa Thompson, Shorty Bertelman, Chadd Paishan, Chad Baybayan and Bruce Blankenfield at the evening Aha 'Āina on Nov. 13. Other resolutions included: recognizing the preschool to doctoral program accreditation by WINHEC of Ka Haka 'Ula O Ke'elikōlani Hawaiian Language College at the University of Hawai'i-Hilo, urging DHHL to revise its blood-quantum policies for successorship, and urging the State Legislature to establish a task force to reduce contact with the criminal justice system. The resolution supports a bill in OHA's legislative package; both the resolution and bill stem from OHA's recently released study Tlie Disparate Treatment ofNative Hm>aiians in the Crimina\ Justice System. Stroud said the Association strives to be self-sufficient and is looking to expand services through a building it owns on homestead land in Kapolei. "We have an opportunity with the current building to continue to use it as a resource center and from that perhaps grow enterprises that ean benefit the Association as well as the Hawaiian community," he said. Other featured speakers included: Senator Akaka, DHHL Director Kaulana Park, Bob Command of the Hawai'i County Mayor's Office, young Kohala author Kekauleleanae'ole Kawai'ae'a and his grandfather Walter, Pelehonuamea Harman of the Kea'au Hawaiian-immersion school Ke Kula 'O Nāwahlokalani'ōpu'u, and Manu Boyd, Cultural Director of the Royal Hawaiian Center. Two more civic clubs were added at the convention, hailing from Arizona and California, growing the total number of clubs to 60. ■

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The newly elected Board members of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs are, from left: Alberta Low, Treasurer; Bucky Leslie, Second Vice President; Annelle Amaral, FirstVice President; and Soulee Stroud, President. Leimomi Khan, at right, is the immediate Past President. - Photos: Courtesy of Elaine Fergerstrom/AHCC

OHA CE0 Clyde Nāmu'o gives a keynote address at the 51 st annual Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs Convention.