Agnes Kalani-ho'o-kaha Cope paddles away with the 2008 Native Hawaiian Health Award at the seventh annual Native Hawaiian Convention in October. Six other individuals and groups were also lauded for their contributions to the Native Hawaiian community in the areas of health, education, advocacy, economic self-determination, housing, business and nonprofits. - Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom.

'Aunty Aggie,' others honored at Native Hawaiian convention

By Liza Simon / Ka Wai Ola

• Native Hawaiian groups, lawmakers offer views of global issues

Agnes Kalani-ho'o-kaha Cope sat regally in her wheelchair on stage at the Native Hawaiian Convention, accompanied by members of the Wai'anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. With a display of righteousness, warmth and wit, the same qualities that have made her both a beloved traditional healer and a respected health educator, she accepted the 2008 Native Hawaiian Health Award presented by Papa Ola Lōkahi. "Shouldn't we keep this short so we can stay on schedule and feed all these people a good lunch?" she chided Papa Ola Lōkahi director Hardy Spoehr, who had described an impressive list of Cope's lifelong accomplishments in improving Kanaka Maoli health: "To have an important discussion with this Hawaiian matriarch was to meet at Hannara's where she would order fish and poi ... establish your genealogy and how's she's related to you … and then get on to the matter at hand," Spoehr said.

Cope's leadership in building health services includes her stint as president of Ke Ola Mamo, O'ahu's Native Hawaiian Health Care System. As a practitioner of lā'au kāhea, she is credited with raising community awareness of the benefits of traditional healing. But her comments at the awards ceremony suggest she pursues an even broader mission. Show kindness and compassion to everyone regardless of ethnicity, she urged the audience, who gave her a standing ovation at the Hawai'i Convention Center.

Aunty Aggie, as she is known, was one of several Native Hawaiian leaders and organizations honored at the gathering Sept. 30-Oct 2. The other 2008 awardees are:

>> Kanu o Ka 'Āina Learning 'Ohana, a nonprofit based in Waimea, Hawai'i Island, that uses education to advance the Hawaiian culture and promote sustainability, received the Bank of Hawai'i Native Hawaiian Nonprofit Award for demonstrating exemplary commitment, programs and contributions in the Native Hawaiian community.

>> Kumu Lehua Mark Veincent, Keaukaha Elementary School principal, received the Kamehameha Schools Native Hawaiian Education Award/Ipu Kā'eo Award for making an outstanding contribution to the achievement of Native Hawaiian children.

>> Rodger J. Boyd, the deputy assistant secretary for Office of Native American Programs at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, received the Hawaiian Community Assets Native Hawaiian Housing Award for fostering innovation, advocacy and service to create affordable housing opportunities in the Native Hawaiian community.

>> Akimeka Technologies LLC, a software development company focusing mainly on U.S. Defense Department contracts, received the American Savings Bank Native Hawaiian Business Award for playing a vital role in building our communities and economy and for volunteering time to help small business interests.

>> Vaughn Vasconcellos, president of Alaka'ina Foundation, the majority owner of Akimeka Technologies, received the Native Hawaiian Economic Alliance Native Hawaiian Business Champion Award for contributing to the economic self-determination for Native Hawaiians.

>> Documentary filmmakers Puhipau and Joan Lander received the Native Hawaiian Legal Corp. Native Hawaiian Advocate Award for a track record of advocacy and personal contributions to the Native Hawaiian community and for championing Native Hawaiian rights. Puhipau and Landers, co-founders of Nā Maka o ka 'Āina, continue to sell DVDs from their collection of 92 programs, and offer educational discounts. Titles include Kaho'olawe Aloha 'Āina – George Helm, Hawa'i Forest Birds, Waimānalo Eviction and Teaching Peace. For a full list of titles, visit namaka.com. For information, call them in Nā'ālehu, Hawai'i Island, at 808-929-9659 or email namaka@interpac.net.