A group of Hau'ula residents recently gathered for the first Kau Inoa coffee hour. - Photo: Deirdra Alo

First Kau Inoa coffee hour brewed in Hau'ula

By OHA Hawaiian Governance Hale

The first Kau Inoa Coffee Hour was held last month before a group of kūpuna in Hau'ula.

A small group gathered at the home of Ramona Crowell to talk with Dede Alo and Nara Cardenas of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' Outreach Team. Most of the guests were members of the Hauula Senior Citizens, a group which gathers weekly for support, fellowship and social services.

The guests arrived and seated themselves, ready to hear the 15-minute presentation. Some interesting questions and thoughtful discussion followed. The kupuna were particularly concerned about how signing up would affect Social Security payments, military allowances, Medicaid, and so forth. They were reassured that signing up for Kau Inoa does not affect anyone's citizenship nor does it disqualify anyone from collecting government benefits. A woman nodded her understanding: “[Kau Inoa] doesn't make us any less American.”

While it will not take away any rights or privileges, signing up for Kau Inoa will provide a voice for these Hawaiians, who have some apprehension about the future of our people. One expressed strong feelings: “How come we don't have a cemetery for Hawaiians? Burials are so expensive, we should have a cemetery so the kūpuna can rest in peace.” The conversation lead naturally to the problem of Hawaiian bones exposed due to development, the high cost of living, the growing number of homeless, and the shrinking number of Hawaiians with enough blood quantum to qualify for Hawaiian Homelands. Each issue raised underlined the importance of Hawaiian cooperation and unity as a means to heal from our sufferings and find solutions to our problems.

As the discussion wrapped up, one guest exclaimed “What are we waiting for? Ladies, let's sign our names!” Another said, “Thank you for this. I will go home and get my children and grandchildren to sign their names.”

Then guests enjoyed cocoa, tea, light refreshments and more conversation. When the time came for all to leave, our host commented, “This is very good, very informative. I wish more of my friends could have been here.”

Many thanks to Ramona Crowell and her 'ohana, who so generously opened her home to us. If you are interested in hosting a coffee hour, contact Dede Alo in the Hawaiian Governance Hale at 594-0266. More information can be found here.