Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 31, Number 1, 1 Ianuali 2014 — Honoring our kūpuna [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Honoring our kūpuna

Last month I had the opportunity to be a part of a very speeial event here on Moloka'i that was hosted by 'Ohana Ministries, Ke Ola Pono No Nā Kūpuna Program and Kaunoa Kūpuna Center. Nā Kūpuna Christmas Celebration was held on Dec. 11 at the Kūlana 'Ōiwi Hālau. This was an opportunity for kūpuna who haven't seen one another throughout the year to eome toaether in

celebration and to be honored and appreciated for their many years of contribution to our community.

There were four kūpuna programs that were invited to the celebration that night: ALU LIKE's Ke Ola Pono No Nā Kūpuna Program, Kaunoa Kūpuna Center, Home Pumehana and Nā Pu'uwai Senior Program. The event brought together more than 130 Native Hawaiian kūpuna and their families. Everyone who attended enjoyed a fabulous sitdown dinner as they were served and waited on by Native Hawaiian youth of Moloka'i who volunteered to be part of this occasion to honor our kūpuna. Kūpuna were also treated to entertainment by the newly formed Moloka'i Community Choir that consisted of 30 members that performed four Christmas songs, The Men of Maunaloa, and the 'Ohana Ministries, whieh performed a nativity play for the kūpuna. County Councilwoman Stacy Helm-Criv-

ello also addressed those who attended and gave her appreciation to the kūpuna of Moloka'i. As part of the program 14 kūpuna received speeial recognition to thank them for their volunteer services to the community and our Native Hawaiian programs on the island that went above and beyond the eall. Those honored were selected for their nonstop volunteerism throughout our eommunity. Kūpuna who were

honored were: Anna Lou Arakaki, Sheila Awai, Tiny Domingo, Evelyn Kealaiki, Bill Aki, Bill Wallaee,

Alex Bishaw, Oehie Bush, Kaipo Mollena, Kauila Reyes, Pearl Souza, Lovey Britt-Mason, Lei Kaneakua and Cookie Kaopuiki. All those who were honored were presented with gift baskets donated by various organizations and businesses on Moloka'i. A special mahalo goes out to all who made this event a success and treated the kūpuna to a night they will remember. Lastly mahalo to the organizations and businesses that generously donated to this event: Billy Akutagawa of Nā Pu'uwai Native Hawaiian Heahh Care System, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, L & L Farms LLC, ALU LIKE Kūpuna Program, Kamoi Snack & Go, Kapua Kalama Lauih, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, Inge Adolpho andMoloka'iIslandFoundation. ■

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Cūlette Y. Machadū ChairpErsūn, TrustEE Mūlūka'i and Lāna'i

More than 1 30 kūpuna and their families eame together on Moloka'i for entertainment, food and recognition of 1 4 elders at Nā Kūpuna Christmas Celebration. - Courtesy photo