Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 32, Number 11, 1 November 2015 — Let us all ride together [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Let us all ride together

The 56th Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs Convention

By Francine Kananionapua Murray papapae pū ana kākou ē, i I ka nalu ho'okahi he'e ai -

"Let us all ride I together, on one ^^^H7/rc shall we surf" — is the theme for the 56th Annual Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs Convention. The inspiring message of unity and forward movement is mueh like the work conducted by the Civic Clubs. "There are some oldtime stuff we used to do in the civic clubs that we are going to redo," said Annelle Armaral, President of the Asso-

ciation of Hawaiian Civic Clubs. "And there are some new things ahead." One blast from the past, at this year's convention will be a song competition between a few of the clubs. For those who enjoy the cultural arts, the Wednesday workshops will focus on cultural practices, featuring cultural practicioners fromMaui performing live demonstrations for anyone interested in hands-on learning. Over 500 delegates are expected to attend the Convention at the Hyatt

Regency Maui Resort and Spa in Lahaina, fromNov. 8 through 15. Since there will be a Native Con-

stitutional Convention or 'aha in the near future, "there's going to be a lot of discussion in this convention about nahon building, starting with our workshops on Wednesday," says Armaral. "It continues on Thursday when Imua Hawai'i is sponsoring a dinner and will have a panel talking about nahon building." On Friday in the Eeonomie Development Committee, Patricia Zell, former staff member of Sen. Daniel Inouye will have a workshop on how to create an eeonomie engine for a Hawaiian nation.

"I am hoping Saturday night to have an opportunity for candidates for the 'aha to speak, sort of a candi-

date forum to introduce themselves." The first Hawaiian civic club was founded in 1918 by Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana'ole, who was the first Native Hawaiian and only monarch elected as a delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. Civic club members follow in the footsteps of the Prince as they participate in civic activities such as drafting, discussing and votina on resolutions

and bills. The Clubs advocate for heahh, eeonomie development, education, social welfare and nationhood, while striving to perpetuate and preserve the culture, history and language of the people of Hawai'i. The 56th Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs Convention is sponsored in part by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, whieh strives to perpetuate Hawaiian culture while enabling the building of a strong and healthy Hawaiian people and nation. ■

OHA GRANTEE SPOTLIGHT

Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs Presiden1" Annelle Armaral looks to the past forunity. - Courtesy photo