LEO 'ELELE - TRUSTEE MESSAGES

He Hawai'i mau a mau

Haunani Apoliona, MSW, Chairperson, Trustee, At-large

Chairperson Haunani Apoliona invited Tee Furtado, who is serving her first term as president of the Mainland Council of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, to write this month's column. A past secretary, first vice president and president of 'Ahahui Kīwila Hawai'i o San Diego (Hawaiian Civic Club), Furtado has also served as the Mainland Council's director, treasurer and first vice president. A Sacred Hearts Academy graduate, she earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Chaminade College and is the principal at Blessed Sacrament Parish School in San Diego. Born into the Keahiolalo 'ohana of Waipi'o, Hawai'i, Furtado is a hānai of the Furtado family of Makawao, Maui.

As we look back at our history, Native Hawaiians have been a people who looked to the heavens and traveled far distances. This sense of adventure brought them to our beloved 'āina which we call our home, Hawai'i Nei. Likewise, this tendency is still a part of our people and many have continued to travel across the ocean to new lands across the continental United States, Alaska and other parts of the world.

Tee Furtado Pelekikena Mainland Council Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs

The statistics of Census 2000 identified that 40 percent of Native Hawaiians live outside the 'āina, with more than 60,000 settling in California alone. Some came to further their education, others to find new jobs, and still others to make a fresh start. Whatever the reason, these Native Hawaiians brought with them the culture, customs, values and traditions passed on by kūpuna and continue to pass these on to several generations of keiki and to others who became their new neighbors and friends.

In order to foster these traditions Native Hawaiians founded their hui that allowed them to gather, to socialize, to remember and to teach our culture to all. As time passed, a number of the hui wanted to be more involved and keep closer ties with what was going on in Hawai'i Nei. They may have left the Islands, but Hawai'i was where their hearts remained. What better way to do this than to become a part of the largest grass-roots organization in the Islands, the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs?

Several of the hui where chartered and entered the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs beginning in the mid-1970s. By 1988 the Mainland Council of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs was chartered at the association's annual convention. At this point the council included five clubs from California, Utah, Nevada and Colorado and became the fifth council of the association. Since that time, the council has grown to 12 clubs as the association's work has spread to Hawaiians in Alaska, a third club in California, a second club in Utah, a new club in Colorado, Virginia/Maryland/Washington, D.C., area, Illinois, Washington and finally, Tennessee. Each one is unique; yet we have a common bond.

We all have a story to share that has brought us to where we are today. Mine is not remarkable, but while growing up in the Islands, I was urged by my grandfather to do two things: stand tall and proud to be Hawaiian and study hard so that I can do for others. These words of wisdom have remained with me and have served as guideposts throughout my life. Part of that was as nā 'ōpio within the 'Ewa Hawaiian Civic Club, which provided scholarships for my high school and college education. Furthering my education and work brought me to California where it is now my turn to give back.

As pelekikena for the Mainland Council, the post comes with both a sense of pride and awesome responsibility; yet it is one that I do not do alone. Our component clubs are very busy striving to fulfill the mission of the association. 'Ōlelo classes, genealogy workshops, health projects, Hawaiian craft workshops, mele, hula and 'ukulele classes, activities for 'ohana and outrigger canoe regattas are being held. Fund raising for the purpose of providing scholarships and Kau Inoa signups continue, as does our outreach to Hawaiians in other states to assist and inform them of the Hawaiian Civic Club movement. We look forward to the newest club getting ready to be chartered hailing from Texas. The association's work is alive and well on the continent. 6/48