Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs

Elected in 2006 as Mayor of Mau’i, Mayor Tavares’s top priorities have been to find a balance between supporting a strong economy and preserving those qualities that make Maui County so special—from the aloha of our diverse cultures to the spectacular beauty of our natural resources; and to promote renewable energy alternatives and work to make Maui County a model of energy sustainability.

Mayor Tavares has been in public service since 1967 when she began as a public school teacher, eventually serving as Director of the Upward Bound Program at Maui Community College, then as Director of the Maui County Department of Parks and Recreation, Chair of the Human Services, Agriculture and Housing Committee, Chair of the Planning Committee, Chair of Energy and Economic Development and from 1996 to 2006, as Maui County Councilmember-Upcountry Seat.

Since her election, Mayor Tavares has introduced initiatives that have resulted in the expansion of the public transit system, Maui being the leader in the state in renewable energy systems through wind power, solar water heating, biodiesel production, small hydro-electric projects, and residential and commercial photovoltaic installations; construction of the new Kihei Recycling Center, and so much more.  Her administration has walked the talk of Aloha ‘Āina.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

DR. NOA EMMETT ALULI

KAHO‘OLAWE:  THE BREATH OF PAPA; THE BREATH OF MAN

“The truth is, there is man and there is environment.  One does not supersede the other.  The breath of man is the breath of Papa.  Man is merely the caretaker of the land that maintains his life and nourishes his soul.  Therefore, the ‘āina is sacred.  The church of life is not in a building, it is the open sky, the surrounding ocean, the beautiful soil…”  (George Helm, January 1977)

On January 30, 1977, five activists (George Helm, Walter Ritte, Richard Sawyer, Charles Warrington, and Francis Ka'uhane) landed on Kaho'olawe in an attempt to gain public recognition of the struggle to end the bombing of the island of Kaho‘olawe, a Hawaiian island used as target practice by the U.S. Navy.  Dr. Emmett Aluli traces the history of that event and the difference it has made in “aloha ‘āina”.   Combining political and cultural activitism, Dr. Aluli shares with us the work of the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission and what the sacrifices of those pioneers have meant to the survival of Kahoolawe and to the spirit of the Native Hawaiian.

Since 1976, Dr. Aluli has been a physician in family medical practice with the Moloka‘i Family Health Center.  Currently, he is the Medical Executive Director of the Moloka'i General Hospital, a subsidiary of the Honolulu based Queen's Health Care System. He is also a founding member of the Protect Kaho'olawe 'Ohana, a "grassroots" organization that worked arduously to stop military bombing and ordnance delivery training on the island of Kaho'olawe.  Dr Aluli has served as vice chairman of the Kaho'olawe Island Conveyance Commission and chairman of the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission.  In 1985, he founded Na Pu'uwai, Inc., the Native Hawaiian Health Care System for Moloka'i and Lana'i, a private non-profit charitable and educational corporation dedicated to the betterment of health conditions of Native Hawaiians.  Dr. Aluli is also co-founder of the Pele Defense Fund, which is dedicated to perpetuation of the beliefs, customs, practices, and ecosystems sacred to Pele; a founding Board Member of Aha Hui o Nā Kauka, the Native Hawaiian Physicians Association, and is an Assistant Medical Professor at the University of Hawai'i John A. Burns School of Medicine in the Departments of Family Medicine and Community Health and Native Hawaiian Health.

Mr. Clyde Namuo

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

As the Administrator for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Mr. Clyde Namuo provides us with an update on critical issues facing the Hawaiian community and initiatives of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Since 2001, Clyde Namuo has been administrator of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.  Prior to that he served in the Hawaii Circuit Courts as Court Administrator of the Legal Documents Branch of the First Circuit Court, Chief Court Administrator, and Deputy Administrative Director of the Courts.  As the administrator of OHA, Clyde has provided unprecedented service and support to Hawaiians through advocacy, and the provision of resources to empower the community. Through his leadership in carrying forth the vision of the Trustees of the OHA, the portfolio of land owned by the OHA, on behalf of the Hawaiian community went from 1.1 acre in June 2006 to 27,732 acres as of July 2006, securing an economic base for an eventual Hawaiian Nation.  The grants program has increased significantly, with nearly $8 million going to community projects that support the goals of OHA’s Strategic Plan.

According to the Kumulipo, a genealogical chant of creation, Po gave birth to the world.  From this female potency was born Kumulipo and Po'ele.  And from these two, the rest of the world unfolded in genealogical order.  That genealogy teaches us the land is the elder sibling and the people are the younger sibling meant to care for each other in a reciprocal, interdependent relationship.  The foundational principle of the Kumulipo is that all facets of the world are related by birth.  And thus, the Hawaiian concept of the world descends from one ancestral genealogy.  All life forms of the honua, arising first from the kai with counterparts on the ‘āina, the naming of our ‘ohana and the identification of our mo'oku'auhau in the Kumulipo, impress upon our peoples the obligation to act as the kia'i of the honua and its life forms.  Through pono behavior, we perpetuate the life of our lands and our peoples.

Three leaders in the community discuss the kuleana of Native Hawaiians in fulfilling their obligations as envisioned by the kumulipo in the face of a contemporary society and new methods for generating energy for our island community…two from the perspective of managing large tracts of land by their organization, one from the perspective of the land and its relationship to the health of our people.

Mr. Neil Hannahs, Director of Land Assets Division
Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate

Mr. Neil J. K. Hannahs is the Director of the Land Assets Division for Kamehameha Schools.  He is responsible for the team that manages Kamehameha’s 347,000 acres of agriculture and conservation Lands in Hawai'i.  Mr. Hannahs joined the Kamehameha Schools staff in 1974.  He currently serves as chairman of the Hawaii Public Television Foundation Board of Directors and the President of the Land Use Research Foundation.  He is also a trustee of Queen’s Medical Center, sits on the Board of Directors for Bishop Museum, and serves as a State Committee member of the Hawai‘i Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research.  He has served as president of the Kaka'ako Improvement Association, Chair of Queen Lil'uokalani Children’s Center Advisory Council, Executive Producer of “Schifrin Symphony No. 1:  Lili'uokalani,” Vice-Chair of the Historic Hawai'i Foundation Board of Trustees, and as Treasurer of Pacific Islanders in Communications.

Mr. Kaulana Park, Chair, Hawaiian Homes Commission,
Dept of  Hawaiian Home Lands

The Department of Hawaiian Homes Lands manages the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust consisting of 203,225 acres on Kauai, O‘ahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Hawai‘i. On August 12, 2009, Mr. Kaulana Park became the Chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission and the Director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.  Previous to this appointment, Mr. Park was the department’s deputy director since February 2008.  In addition to serving as the deputy director, Park, who has been with the department since 2003, previously was executive assistant to the chairman of DHHL. As a lead strategist for DHHL he provided direct oversight on special projects ranging from program development to critical projects and issues relating to fulfilling the department's mission to put Native Hawaiians on the land and into homes. His focus was primarily on operations efficiency, administration workflow, and leadership development. 

In July 2006, Governor Lingle appointed Mr. Park to lead the Administration's efforts to coordinate solutions to the state's homelessness. He has also served as manager of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund, as a manager with Bank of America, assistant branch manager with First Hawaiian Bank, and business banking officer for Wells Fargo Bank.  Kaulana also serves on the Hawai'i Public Housing Authority Board and at the New Hope Hawaii Kai Christian Fellowship. He is the past president of the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, former board member of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission of Hawai'i, former Board member of Lokahi Pacific Rural Development, Inc., and former 2nd vice chairman of the Hotel Travel Federal Credit Union. He also participated in the Pacific Century Fellows program. He is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and Stanford University.

Hardy Spoehr, Executive Director, Papa Ola Lōkahi

A humble man, Hardy Spoehr is “Mr Health”.  Head of the nonprofit, Papa Ola Lōkahi, we know him to be a leader both at the national, state, and local level.  Founded in 1988, Papa Ola Lōkahi is a non-profit Native Hawaiian organization founded for the purpose of improving the health and well-being of Native Hawaiians and other peoples of the Pacific and continental United States.  Under Hardy’s leadership, the programs have grown to include the Native Hawaiian Health Systems, Traditional Healing and Complementary Health, Diabetes, Heart, and so many other programs.

Besides health, Hardy is a performer of the bagpipe and in fact wrote, ‘Upohu Uka Nui ‘O Kekokia (Scotland’s Great Highland Bagpipe”, a book about its introduction into Hawaii to present day pipers and pipe bands.  Beginning with the arrival of Captain Cook and King Kalakaua’s visit to Scotland and through today’s sovereignty efforts in both lands, Hawaii and Scotland.

LUNCHEON SPEAKER

Dr. Manu Meyer, Associate Professor of Education, University of  Hawai‘i at Hilo

MA KA HANA KA ‘IKE (KNOW BY EXPERIENCING)

Meet Dr. Manu Meyer, noted Epistemologist, as she shares with us the power of knowledge in caring for our ‘Āina; for our people; for ourselves.  "Epistemology." the philosophy of knowledge. This is the belief of knowledge, production and exchange.  The truth of knowledge is very profound. It starts with our sensual development. Where did you grow up? How did you grow up? And Hawaiians, you know what we say about that kine stuff? It's your history. You learn from your history. Ka wā ma mua, the thing that you face, is history. You learn from that. Don't be oppressed by it.  Learn from it.

Dr. Manu Meyer is an Associate Professor with the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Education Department.  She has been an educator for over 28 years with the University of Hawaii educational system as well as a Teaching Fellow with the Harvard University Graduate School of Education, a Staff Instructor and Teacher with the Cambridge Peace and Justice Corps, and Assistant Director with Na Pua No'eau and so much more.  She received her Ed.D. in Philosophy of Education in 1998 from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education.  Dr. Meyer serves on numerous committees, to name a few, ‘Ike ‘Āina:  The Native Hawaiian Land Trust; DOE Hawaiian Studies Task Force; Civic Forum on Public Education; President, Ho'oulu Lahui Board (Kua O Ka La Charter School, Puna), and ‘Ike A'o Founder (Quality Education and Sustainable Communities Project).

The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs sponsors a week-long program of mentoring Native Hawaiian Junior and Senior High School students attending convention.  Led by the Kuini Pi‘olani Hawaiian Civic Club, the program will offer experiences that expose and involve these youth in the AHCC convention, beginning with talk story with elders in the civic club community, to participating in and documenting committee, plenary, and social activities.  Guest speakers include Haunani Apoliona, Chair, Board of Directors, Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Collette Machado, OHA Trustee, Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i; and Henry Gomes, Chaminade University.

Ka Lei Maile Ali‘i - The Queen's Women was first performed at a celebration of Queen Lili‘uokalani’s birthday in 2001 at the Kana‘ina Building, on the grounds of ‘Iolani Palace.   Taken from the story that appeared in the San Francisco Call in 1897, the one-act play is a re-enactment of a now famous meeting at the Salvation Army Hall in Hilo in 1897 between Hui Aloha ‘Āina o Nā Wāhine (Women’s Hawaiian Patriotic League) and the maka‘āinana.  The subject of that gathering was the Kū‘ē Petition, also known as the Monster Petition, signed by nearly every kanaka maoli living at that time.  The play is preceded by a presentation by Dr. David Keanu Sai, who will provide a context for understanding why the signatures were being gathered and what happened as a result.  Kumu and cultural practitioner, Kalani Akana, share with us an oli on Lili‘uokalani. Free.  Open to the Public.

Three community leaders share with you the work that they are doing to eradicate invasive species:

• Pat Bailey with The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii will talk about Waikamoi Preserve; specifically the positive results from their fencing project to preserve and protect which resulted in dramatic native plant recovery within the Waikamoi Preserve
• Kuhea Parachuelles of Maui County to talk about Maui’s ROI Round-Up Spearfishing Tournament to catch invasive fish
• Dawn Chang representing a Federal, State, and Non-Profit Collaborative “Partnership to Protect Hawai‘i’s Native Species, specifically eradication of rats”

A must see presentation!  The Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Ke Ali‘i Maka‘āinana HCC worked together on research to learn about the nation-to-nation diplomatic missions to Washington, D.C., conducted by the leaders of the indigenous sovereign nation of Hawai’i.  These missions to D.C. continued after the illegal overthrow of the kingdom of Hawai‘i in 1893, as the Ali‘i advocated for restoration of the indigenous sovereign government, sought reconciliation and the rights of the indigenous people of Hawai‘i, consistent with their inherent sovereign rights, culture, values and priorities.  Come back in time with Julie Coleson as we relive through pictures those diplomatic missions and learn who, when, and for what purpose the mission was undertaken.

At this year’s AHCC Convention on the beautiful island of Maui, the Health Committee is honored to be partnering with Hui No Ke Ola Pono and the Papa Ola Lōkahi Diabetes Education Program,
Hui No Ke Ola Pono will be conducting cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and BMI’s (body mass index).  Their staff will explain abnormal readings and refer individuals in need for followup to their primary provider.

Established as one of five federally funded Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems, Hui No Ke Ola Pono provides care to Hawaiians and their families with a primary focus on health promotion and prevention. The organization serves the island of Maui.   There will be a display of educational materials related to Health promotion and Disease Prevention. 

Papa Ola Lōkahi’s Pacific Diabetes Education Program (PDEP) Coordinator, Megan Fong, will provide education on diabetes.  Back by popular demand, they will conduct the pedometer challenge for individuals and groups who have the opportunity to win awesome prizes!

At one time, there were over 300 varieties of taro; today, perhaps we have eighty-five traditional varieties remaining.  Historically, there were tens of thousands of acres under taro cultivation.  Today, there remain less than five hundred acres of taro in production.  Lack of land and water, unsustainable soil culture practices, monocropping, pests and disease all threaten the continued viability, continuity and cultivation of taro.  Answering the call of taro farmers and the Native Hawaiian community, the Hawaii State Legislature passed a bill, now known as Act 211, The Taro Security and Purity Task Force.  Its task is to find, prioritize and support non-GMO alternatives to taro farmers' issues in Hawaii.  Three taro farmers, Jim Cain, Waipio Valley; Jerry Konanui, Kauai; and Ke'eaumoku Kapu, Maui have devoted their lives to the sustainment and cultivation of taro.  They share with us the important work of the Taro Security and Purity Task Force and of its recommendations.

The Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa sought to have a memorial established to honor and remember 8,000 loved ones at a location within the Kalaupapa National Historical Park.  In 2006, the Association adopted resolution 2006-46, "Urging the United States Congress to Provide for the Establishment of a Memorial Within Kalaupapa National Historical Park Located on the Island of Moloka'i, in the State of Hawai'i, to Honor and Perpetuate the Memory of Those Individuals Who Were Forcibly Relocated to the Kalaupapa Peninsula from 1866 to 1969". 

Earlier this year, President Barack Obama signed into law the Kalaupapa Memorial Act. The law states that “The Secretary of the Interior shall authorize Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa, a non-profit organization consisting of patient residents at Kalaupapa National Historical Park, and their family members and friends, to establish a memorial at a suitable location or locations approved by the Secretary at Kalawao or Kalaupapa within the boundaries of Kalaupapa National Historical Park … to honor and perpetuate the memory of those individuals who were forcibly relocated to the Kalaupapa Peninsula from 1866 to 1969.”

Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa welcomes you to learn about and to share your thoughts about the Kalaupapa Memorial, as they prepare an Environmental Assessment to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act.  Too, the Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa will help anyone find information about ancestors who were sent to Kalaupapa.  Let us applaud them for their efforts to realize the Kalaupapa Memorial!

Hawaiians and others have fought long and hard to save the Hawaiian language from extinction.  Much progress has been made.  Listen to our panelists as they discuss the struggles of the past, the Hawaiian Language renaissance, and their vision for the future.

Explore Nā Wai ‘Ehā, the four sacred waters of Maui with Maui Kumu Hula, Luana Kāwa’a.  Nā Wai ‘Ehā comprises four traditional ahupua'a, all of which were famous for the abundance of wai, fresh water.  Stories, legends, wahi pana and mele and oli will be shared as we ho'okama’āina (become familiar) with the four famous waters of Maui No Ka ‘Oi.

As Kanaka Maoli Hawai‘i, we have a kuleana to mālama Akua, the ‘Āina and ourselves.  As we search for our roles and identity as to who has the ultimate responsibility to our Hawai’i, we begin to shed our outer self’s and find our real personality that is the definition of a Kanaka Maoli.  We will take a deep look at what our roles are as Native Hawaiians to our legacy, our ancestors, Kupuna Hawai'i our Queen, Kings, and Ali'i have left behind for us to find and know ourselves.  E Mālama o Ke Akua, E Mālama Ka ‘Āina, E Mālama Pono I Ia Kanaka Maoli Hawai‘i.  We will begin to understand our relationship to Lapa'au Hawai‘i and the critical connection it serves for every aspect of Hawai‘i and Papa Honua, mother Earth.

This will be a lecture/demonstration of information that has been shared with the speaker as well as things he has experienced and revelations made through the combination of both.  Flutes for use for the people attending who want to learn how to play the nose flute will be available with the option to be purchased.

Lau Kanaka:  Restoring Native Hawaiian Identity through the mana of the multitudes as predetermined through traditional wisdom of the wahine akua Pele and Hi‘iaka.  An enlightening storytelling session exploring the mo‘olelo of Pele and Hi‘iaka by Dr. Ku‘ualoha Ho‘omanawanui, PhD.  This presentation is sponsored by Data & Information, and Health Services of Papa Ola Lōkahi.

Dr. Ku`ualoha Meyer Ho`omanawanui  was born in Kailua, O’ahu and raised in Wailua, Kaua’i, with genealogical roots extending to the lands of Kalihi, Wai’anae, Puna, Ka’u, and Kohala. She is an Assistant Professor of Hawaiian literature in the English Department at the University of Hawai`i at Mānoa, specializing in Hawaiian folklore, mythology, Oceanic literature, and indigenous perspectives on literacy.   A key interest is place-based literature, literacy and learning.  Current research includes Pele and Hi‘iaka literature and `ike `āina (knowledge about/from the land). With a B.A. in Hawaiian Studies, an M.A. in Hawaiian Religion, and a Ph.D in English, she has taught a variety of courses in the fields of Hawaiian Studies, Education, and English.  She is also a founding and current Chief Editor of ‘Ōiwi: A Native Hawaiian Journal.  She is a former Ford Foundation pre-doctorate and doctoral Fellow, and is a 2009-2010 Carnegie-Mellon Post-Doctoral Fellow.

What or who is a Hawaiian?  Should blood quantum define a Hawaiian?  What is the relationship between “blood” and identity?  Four Hawaiian leaders provide their perspectives regarding the issue of blood quantum, its history, its uses, why it matters and why it shouldn’t matter.  Panelists will also explore the impact that the cases listed below have on Native Hawaiian identity issues and the use of blood quantum.

1)  Day v Apoliona challenging whether the state, trustee of the ceded lands trust, or its agency, OHA, may without violating basic trust law principles and the Fourteenth Amendment continue to discriminate between trust beneficiaries on the basis of race; and

2) the 1994 OHA (and four other individual plaintiffs--Pia Thomas Aluli, Jonathan Kamakawiwo'ole Osorio, Charles Ka'ai'ai and Keoki Maka Ki'ili) suit which sought to prevent the State of Hawaii from selling "ceded lands.

Kaho'olawe is a significant and sacred island, a pu'uhonua and wahi pana.  Since the return of Kaho'olawe to the State of Hawai‘i, the Protect Kaho'olawe ‘Ohana and the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission have cared for this Island.  The Executive Director of the KIRC shares with us the progress that has been made and more importantly the work that remains to be done.  In particular, the KIRC believes it timely that Native Hawaiian organizations begin preparing the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve for an eventual transfer to a sovereign Native Hawaiian entity.  Come to learn how we as Native Hawaiians can help with this work.

On September 23, 2009, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs announced its launching of a new strategic plan to better serve Hawaiians, while transforming OHA into a more streamlined, performance-based organization.  OHA will shift its focus from serving individual needs to applying its resources to programs and activities that will lead to systemic change and maximize its impact on all Hawaiians.  Under the plan, OHA will shift its focus to advocacy and promoting systemic change in six priority areas:  economic self sufficiency, health, education, culture, land & water ('äina) and governance; and identifies three critical roles for OHA:  advocacy, research, and asset management.  Stanton Enomoto, Chief Operating Officer, for OHA will provide a briefing on the specifics of the plan and how it will affect Native Hawaiians.

A workshop and discussion led by Peter Apo and Pat Brandt addressing the abiding tension between the native Hawaiian community and Hawaii's visitor industry.  The concepts of Aloha and Ho'okipa are fundamental to Hawaiian culture and its practice by Hawaiians have earned them the reputation as the most gracious and welcoming hosting society in the world.  Why then is there such a disconnect between Hawaiians and the 12 billion dollar industry whose sole function is to welcome and host visitors to Hawai'i?

This is a two-part workshop; the first concerning the DoD Protocol for Consulting with Native Hawaiian organizations; and the second on the work that the U.S. Army-Hawaii is doing to care for Hawai‘i’s natural resources.

In November 2008, the DoD conducted meetings throughout the state on its proposed DoD Native Hawaiian Organizational Consultation Protocol.  The draft protocol sets forth definitions for which Native Hawaiian organizations may be consulted and it directs the military to manage Hawai‘i lands and resources in a way that is aligned with goals of Native Hawaiian organizations that preserves and protects resources.  The draft protocol also directs branches to make allowances for access to sacred sites and to conform to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act before any ground disturbing activity gets under way.  Under the protocol, consultation may be used for land cleanup, new construction, modification of training sites, the management of properties of religious and cultural importance, the protection of sacred sites, and the disposition of cultural items.  Mr. Sanborn will provide us with a briefing and update on the draft DOD Native Hawaiian Organizational Consultation Protocol.

On the second topic, consistent with our theme of Aloha ‘Āina, Ms. Mansker will do a presentation on the U.S. Army Hawai‘i program for caring for Hawai‘i’s natural resources.

Kōmike Pilina Kaiāulu (Community Relations), Molokini
Kōmike Ho‘onoho Hālāwai (Conventions & Meetings), Kahili Court
Kōmike Mo‘ohelu Kālā (Finance), Hakone
Kōmike Pilina Aupuni (Government Relations), Kiowai Pavillion
Kōmike ‘Enehana (Information Technology), Ilima
Kōmike Ho‘okele (Policy & Planning), Haleakalā

Kamehameha Schools is a long-time supporter of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs and the important work done at Convention every year. As a token of support for this important gathering, Kamehameha is happy to sponsor breakfast this morning.  Mahalo nui to the Association and to all Delegates, Members and Special Guests for all you do on behalf of our people.

Leadership is filled with challenges and opportunities; we celebrate the good works of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the presidents of all civic clubs.  The Mainland Council, who hosts this function,  always bring us great entertainment, good food, and opportunity to experience the cultural, arts, and food of the communities in which they are located.

Kōmike Ho‘oilina Ali‘i (Benefits & Trusts), Molokini
Kōmike Po‘aiapuni Waiwai (Economic Development), Makena Salon
Kōmike Ho‘ona‘auao (Education), Kahili Court
Kōmike Pono Maka‘āinana (Employment & Housing), Wailea Salon
Kōmike Malama Ola (Health), Haleakalā
Kōmike Nohona Hawai‘i (A Hawaiian Way of Life), Kiowai Pavillion
Kōmike Ho‘okūpa‘a (Native Rights), Hakone

As momentum builds to reestablish the Hawaiian Nation within local, national, and international political arenas, there is a need to begin to establish an economic engine that will power the nation and provide the resources necessary to support social, educational, and cultural initiatives that empower individuals and community as they strive to become self-advocates for their self-determination and self-sufficiency.  The Hawaiian Economic Development Entity Asset Map Project (HEDEAMP) is the first step to establishing a foundation for building the economic engine.  Funded through a Community Based Economic Development Grant through the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and in partnership with the Pacific American Foundation, the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce (NHCC) conducted a series of information sharing and data gathering meetings across the State.   From these meetings, HEDEAMs will be created for each island and for the State.  These Asset Maps will be disseminated and serve as a resource to the Hawaiian community.

The HEDEAMP will also initiate discussions within the Hawaiian business community towards the creation of a statewide Hawaiian Economic Development Council (HEDC).  The HEDC will be the driving force for shaping the near- and long-term strategic plans for economic development within the Hawaiian community.  Mr. Stephen Kaaa and Mr. Dirk Soma will provide us an update on this project.  For more information, please contact Dirk Soma, HEDEAMP Coordinator at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or at (808)294-8639.

Mr. Eric Enos, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Ka‘ala Farms, Inc.

A graduate of the Kamehameha Schools and University of Hawai’i and lifelong Wai’anae resident, Mr. Eric Enos is a teacher, cultural practitioner, innovator, risk taker, and speaker.  Eric Enos walks the talk of “Aloha ‘Āina”.  In the late 1970’s, Eric helped resurrect once barren land in Waianae into a working farm, today known as Ka'ala Farms.  Through the eyes and voice of Eric, we live the history of Ka'ala Farms and how it has made a difference in the lives of thousands of youth and the sustainability of our ‘āina.  Today, Eric shares his perspectives on how each of us can positively enhance sustainability of our ‘āina through traditional cultural sustainable practices based on the Hawaiian ahupua'a system. 

Kamehameha Schools is embarking on an exciting series of initiatives aimed at stimulating and supporting educational achievement on Oahu’s Leeward Coast. Kekoa Paulsen will provide an overview of how Kamehameha Schools is collaborating with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and other public and private entities to help transform the way education is delivered and received in this important region – from Kapolei to Kaena Point – which is home to the largest native Hawaiian population in the world.

Topics of Discussion:
DHHL Update on Various Programs
Census 2010 Partnerships with Civic Clubs
Hawaiian Community Assets Foreclosure Project/Campaign

Topics of Discussion:
Federal Programs Capacity Project
HCA’s Homestead Energy Project, Self-Help Loan Program
OHA’s Economic Development Programs
Long Term Health Care Fundraising Program for Civic Clubs

Topics of Discussion:
Native Hawaiian Health Act; Health Reform
Pacific Diabetes Education
Long Term Health Care

The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs continues its tradition of the ’Aha Mele competition.  Promoting a capella singing, a blending of soprano, alto, tenor, and bass parts.  The competition also honors respected choral group directors, Martha Poepoe Hohu, Dorothy Kahananui Gillette, Leila Hohu Kiaha, and Haunani Bernardino.

Dine with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands as they share with us a presentation on their programs and initiatives.

‘Aha ’Āina this year will be held at the Kihei Community Center.  Enjoy a wonderful dinner and Hawaiian entertainment.  Cost $45 (includes dinner and entertainment)

Join us for Sunday prayer services as we thank our supreme being for a productive, enjoyable convention.