Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 8, 1 August 2011 — ʻAha Hīpuʻu to honor 5 cultural leaders [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ʻAha Hīpuʻu to honor 5 cultural leaders

By Mary Aliee Milham What does OHA Trastee and Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winner Haunani Apoliona have in eommon with a lifelong curator, a family steeped in the business of traditional Hawaiian food, a pioneering ehampion of 'ōlelo Hawai'i and a positive life-force in the community of Nānākuli? Perhaps not a lot on the surface,

but Apoliona does share one very important trait with William Kaihe'ekai Maioho, the Haili 'Ohana, Sarah Patricia Uialoha Keahi and Agnes Kalaniho 'okaha Cope: eaeh has, over their lifetime, contributed greatly to Hawaiian culture. That is whv thev're the five

recipients of 'Aha Hlpu'u's 2011 Kalani Ali'i Awards and will be the guests of honor at the 6th annual awards banquet on Aug. 27. 'Aha Hlpu'u is a eoaMon of Hawai'i's four royal societies - 'Ahahui Ka'ahumanu, The Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Hale

O Nā Ali'i, and Daughters and Sons of Hawaiian WarriorsMāmakakaua. Donna Lei Smythe, Chair of 'Aha Hlpu'u, says Kalani Ali'i awardees are often "behind the I scenes, quiet kind of people." William "Unele Billy" Maioho, is just such a one, says Smythe. As

Curator of Mauna 'ala, the Royal Mausoleum, Maioho takes care of what is arguably one of the most sacred trusts in the island. "That plaee is so important to evervbodv and he is a wonderful

caretaker for it," says Smythe. Maioho, whose family has been caretakers of Mauna'ala for generations, grew up on the property and is well known for his wealth of knowledge, wonderful stories and the great tours he gives to visitors. "He's a Dart of it. and

it's a part of him," says Smythe. Agnes Kalaniho'okaha Cope, a Living Treasure of Hawai'i, has been an enduring force of good in the areas of education, health and simply caring for the people of Nānākuli. "This lady has done so many marvelous things," says Smythe. "She has been a huge positive force for people out there." Sarah Keahi is another one of this year's recipients who throughout many years has kept a low profile while playing a highly important role in the preserva-

tion of the Hawaiian language. "She actually taught a lot of the Hawaiian language teachers," says Smythe. "She kept it all going when it really wasn't very popular to take Hawaiian language." Haili 'Ohana's award recognizes the family's many decades of supplying that most basic element of Hawaiian culture: food. Despite obstacles, like having to relocate, their family-owned business has kept a steady supply of traditional Hawaiian foods - fresh fish, poi, 'opihi, laulau and more - flowing to their customers. Though they've had to adapt their business to changing times, Smythe says, "They still eook like

their parents did. And then there's award-winning musical artist Haunani Apoliona, who has served as an OHA Trustee since 1996 and is the longestserving Board Chairperson in OHA's 30-year history. With her extensive history of community service and leadership

through Alu Like, and many other community and nonprofit groups, she's no

stranger to awards or the arena of politics. Perpetually on the forefront when it comes to preserving and defending what's best for Hawaiians and Hawai'i, she goes about it all with noteworthy grace and authority. "She fights niee and quietly and decently with history behind her," says Smythe. While she has been a staunch supporter of the royal societies, Apoliona is also known for having a broad overview. "We all believe she works for the good of everybody," says Smythe. Smythe says bestowing Kalani Ali'i Awards is serious business for the 'Aha Hīpu'u. The selection process begins months in advance with a eall for nominees from eaeh society. A decision is made in late summer at a daylong meeting where the leaders, plus one additional

representative from eaeh society, narrow down the field of nominees, typically voting four or five times, until the final choices are made. ■ Mary Aliee Kaiulani Milham, a PortIand, Oregonbased freelance joumalist, is a fonner newspaper reporter and columnist from Califomia 's Central Coast.

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