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By Ka Wai Ola Staff

Stender receives David Malo Award

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Oswald Stender has become the 51st recipient of the West Honolulu Rotary Club's David Malo Award presented annually to honor the prestigious accomplishments by a person of Hawaiian ancestry.

At the awards banquet in October, Rotarians praised Stender for his outstanding contributions to Hawai'i in business and for his unflagging dedication to Native Hawaiian values. The occasion was used to hail his lifetime of accomplishments.

Orphaned at an early age, Stender was brought up by a grandmother in Windward O'ahu, where he helped his family by fishing and making poi for daily sustenance. He attended Kamehameha Schools on scholarship and graduated from the University of Hawai'i. He launched a prosperous real estate career in 1958 by taking a job with James Campbell Estate, where he worked his way to becoming Chief Executive Officer and a Senior Adviser to the trustees.

He also served as a Bishop Estate trustee, where he combined advocacy for broader and better Native Hawaiian education with leadership in a movement to reform the administration of Kamehameha Schools.

In acknowledging Stender's rise from humble roots, Rotarians cited Stender's passion for helping others follow in his successful path. The award is named for David Malo, who in 1840 became one of the first Native Hawaiians to produce a written history of Hawai'i.

La'au Point EIS

Two days of emotional testimony before the State Land Use Commission on Moloka'i last month wrapped up with Moloka'i Ranch withdrawing its environmental impact statement for the planned development of 200 luxury house lots at La'au Point. A ranch attorney said a revised impact statement would be submitted at a later date.

Moloka'i residents split over whether the plan adequately addresses the use of resources in order to preserve the isle's Native Hawaiian character. At issue is the ranch's request to reclassify 1,113 acres of land that would allow for luxury development in a community where many trace their Native Hawaiian lineage back several generations and still practice traditional fishing and farming activities. Under its proposed development plan, the ranch would also provide 26,700 acres of land for a community trust and allow for the reopening of the Kaluako'i Hotel. In the vigorous debate in front of the Land Use Commissioners, some argued that the project will help boost Moloka'i's depressed economy, while others countered that the project would limit Moloka'i residents' access to water and other natural and cultural resources that make up the island's rural landscape.

Royal treatment

More than two dozen youth from a Wai'anae homeless shelter – the only shelter believed to have its own hula hālau – were invited to 'Iolani Palace recently for a tour, buffet and to perform hula for members of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I.

The Nov. 16 visit by the youth and their families from Pai'olu Kaiāulu Transitional Homeless Shelter honored the 171st anniversary of the birth of King Kalākaua, who built the palace in 1882.

Friends of 'Iolani Palace executive director Kippen de Alba Chu said the majority of the families were of Hawaiian ancestry and most had never been inside the palace before. “Educating our children about Hawai'i's monarchy is central to the mission of The Friends of 'Iolani Palace and this kind of outreach is in keeping with making the palace more accessible,” he said. “We cannot think of a more appropriate way to celebrate King Kalākaua's 171st birthday than by sharing his noble vision with his own people.”

The afternoon started with a ho'okupu ceremony fronting the palace and included a buffet reception at 'Iolani Barracks provided by the Royal Order of Kamehameha I. Roundtrip transportation for the Wai'anae group was funded by The Friends of Iolani Palace and a donation from Abigail Kawānanakoa, great-grandniece to Kalākaua.

Mākua makahiki

A makahiki festival at Mākua Military Reservation was canceled after a 250-pound World War II era bomb was unearthed about 500 yards from the gate to the live-fire training ground.

The Army, which found the bomb Nov. 1 under an internal access road, said access would not be allowed at least through Dec. 10 while it sweeps the area for more munitions.
The cancellation came a week before the start of makahiki, traditionally a season for peace, sport and honoring the fertility god Lono.

Hui Mālama o Mākua had been planning a makahiki festival at Mākua for Nov. 16 and 17, but instead spent both days holding a vigil outside the reservation's gates with another community group, Mālama Mākua, and the groups' supporters.

EarthJustice said the groups protested the Army's failure to remove the bomb, which the Army says threatens public safety on Farrington Highway and Mākua Beach Park.

arthJustice negotiated a 2001 agreement between the Army and Mālama Mākua that allows for cultural access and calls for cleanup of unexploded ordnance posing a danger to the public beyond the military reservation's boundaries.

The Army said it is bound by procedure and regulations before it can detonate the bomb and it is working to restore cultural access as soon as possible, within the guidelines imposed upon it.

OHA salary commission

Seven members have been appointed to serve on the Salary Commission for the trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA).

By state law, a salary commission is formed every four years to study and make recommendations on the salary for the trustees. The commission is comprised of seven members nominated by Native Hawaiian organizations and appointed by the Governor. The last commission was formed in 2004.

Gov. Linda Lingle appointed:

• Lulani Arquette, executive director, Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association
• Dale Bachman, third vice regent, Daughters of Hawai'i
• Kippen de Alba Chu, executive director, Friends of 'Iolani Palace
• Ray Kala Enos, policy adviser for government affairs, Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission
• Dennis Fern, fiscal manager, Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center
• Ben Henderson, deputy director, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
• Mike Loo, vice president for finance and administration, Kamehameha Schools

The commission is required to submit its recommendations before the 20th legislative day of the 2008 legislative session. The recommended salary will take effect unless the Legislature disapproves of the recommendation by adopting a concurrent resolution prior to the end of the legislative session. The commission will be dissolved upon completion of its recommendations.

Window wonderland

Hawaiian-made gifts, goodies and artists-in-action will be on display during December and January in the lobby of the Hawai'i State Art Museum on the corner of Hotel and Richards streets. In the spirit of the season, the window space will be turned into a Santa-like workshop. Those scheduled to demonstrate their art-in-the-making include Solomon Enos, Jodi Endicott and Peggy Chun. The showcase for local talent was organized by volunteers from the Friends of Hawai'i State Art Museum and the operators of Na Mea Hawai'i.

Whimsically named HI-HOHOHO, the space will also sell artists' products.

HIV test

HIV Rapid Testing is now available at Life Foundation of Hawai'i and delivers results within 20 minutes, a big change from the one- to two-week wait associated with other testing methods. Public health officials say that the delay keeps many people from returning to clinics for test results. This has added to concern that one-fourth of HIV-positive individuals in the United States are unaware of their status.

The new and faster testing method is expected to increase the Life Foundation's HIV prevention efforts, some of which are targeted to Native Hawaiians. According to the latest research, reported cases of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise in Native Hawaiians in Hawai'i.

The Life Foundation has made the new testing free and confidential and also offers counseling for those who believe they may be at risk for HIV. The FDA approved the test in 2002. Formerly available only at medical clinics, the testing can now be done in other settings, under new health regulations that took effect this year.

Auē, ua hala Photo: Courtesy Chaminade University It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Brother Franklin Pao who died Oct. 12 and Marguerite Kealanahele who died on Nov. 6. Brother Franklin Pao worked tirelessly to advance Native Hawaiian culture during a career in which he served Saint Louis School as a mentor and registrar for 21 years. Pao, 72, died Oct. 12 at his Chaminade residence, where he had lived in retirement for the last five years. A member of the Society of Mary, a Catholic religious order that founded Saint Louis School and Chaminade University, he was noted for incorporating chant and hula in public and private ceremonies. He encouraged students and educators to combine Native Hawaiian values with the spiritual teachings of the Catholic Church. In May, four Hawaiian royal societies presented Pao with a Kalani Ali'i award, recognizing his devotion to Hawaiian culture. Pao held a degree in Hawaiian studies from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. He also graduated as a kumu hula under the tutelage of John Keola Lake and was instrumental in promoting the Hawaiian studies program at Saint Louis School. === Photo: Hailama Farden The sands of our birth from Hawai'i of Keawe to Ni'ihau of Kahelelani groan at the passing of Marguerite Kealanahele (née Ka'onohilani) on Nov. 6 in Hilo. She was the first person to place her name on the Kau Inoa registry on Jan. 17, 2004, at a ceremony fronting Ali'iolani Hale in Honolulu commemorating the 111th anniversary of the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom. Mrs. Kealanahele was the wife of the late Rev. Edward Kealanahele. She graduated from the Kamehameha Schools in 1949 and often shared a story of how she raised her tuition by diving for coins in Honolulu Harbor. After graduating from high school, she went on to the University of Hawai'i, where she obtained a bachelor's degree. Aunty Marge retired as a vice president of Goodwill Industries and became a volunteer docent at 'Iolani Palace. She was a past president of Hale o Nā Ali'i Hālau 'o Keli'iahonui in Waimea, Hawai'i, for many years. Aunty Marge was appointed to the rank of 'Ikū Nahalani in the Hale o Nā Ali'i o Hawai'i, the highest rank attainable by a member outside the Kawānanakoa family. She was appointed by the society's regent, 'Ikūlani Hō'ano Quentin Kawānanakoa, after the passing of Gladys Brandt. Aunty's leadership, aloha and commitment to serving Hawaiians were beyond reproach. Aloha paumākō. Aunty Marge is survived by children Edward I. Kealanahele Jr., Francene Palama (Stanley), Edleen “Tootsie” Peleiholani, and Mekela “Miki” Asejo. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, according to Aunty were her riches in life, as she often said, “All I've asked of God was to see my mo'opuna grow up.”