Poke Nūhou - Newsbriefs

By Ka Wai Ola Loa Staff

Haola awards 21 scholarships

Haola, a council of Native Hawaiian voices that empowers Hawaiian communities on the island of Hawai'i, recently awarded 21 scholarships of $500 each to 21 Native Hawaiian students from communities around the island of Hawai'i. Haola is supported by local businesses. Back Row: Nathan Walsh, Clarinda Santiago, David Kenoi, Stallone Chartrand, Kopa Nae'ole, Mary Bautista, Zenia Adams, Haili Puerto, Kozy Toriano, and Alealani Pacheco. Front Row: Keith Hughes, Tai Graham, Patrick Myles Walsh, Naomi Ahu, Hidi Boteilho, Katrice Powell, and Lauren Louis. Scholarship recipients missing from photo: Cami-lee Aina, Alissa Bautista, Cheyenne Gaspar, and Tiare Kahai. Photo courtesy Haola

Akaka bill draws support from native lawmakers

In a show of indigenous people's unity within the United States, several Hawai'i lawmakers successfully introduced a resolution in support of the Akaka bill at the National Caucus of Native American State Legislators. The measure was approved by legislators representing 18 states at the annual gathering of the NCNASL on September 25 in Scottsdale, Arizona. The resolution describes the history of the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai'i and says that Native Hawaiians "never willingly relinquished their inherent claims to sovereignty" and remain "a distinct indigenous population with their own culture, identity, and assets set aside for their benefit."

The resolution goes on to say that unlike Native Americans and Alaskan Natives, Hawaiians lost control of their assets, as a result of annexation and subsequent statehood. Describing the Akaka bill as a vehicle for bringing redress and self-determination to Hawai'i's aboriginal population, the resolution urges Congress to approve the legislation, named for U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka and formally known as the Native Hawaiian Reorganization Act.

Hawai'i sponsors of the resolution included Sen. Brickwood Galuteria (D-Iwilei - Waikīkī), Rep. Pono Chong (D- Maunawili - Kāne'ohe), Rep. Mele Carroll (D-East Maui, Kaho'olawe, Lāna'i, Moloka'i), Rep. Karen Awana (D-Honokai Hale - Mā'ili), and Rep. Faye Hanohano (D-Puna). All are members of the legislative Native Hawaiian caucus. The NCNASL convenes state lawmakers from Hawai'i and the continental U.S. for the purpose of furthering communication between indigenous citizens on matters related to native interests in public policy.

Kamakakūokalani sponsoring public panel discussion

Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa and 'Imi Pono Projects are sponsoring a public panel discussion with leading historians, academics and activists on the history of Hawaii's political transformations. The event, entitled 'Ike: Historical Transformations, takes place on Saturday, October 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Kamakakūokalani Center on the UH Mānoa campus. It will also be streamed on imipono.org. The event is free, open to the public, and light refreshments will be served. The panels are:

• 10 a.m. - Noon:
  Recovering our Political Past while Probing towards the Future
  
  
• 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.:
  History of Hawaiian Political Activism: 1887 to the Present
  
  
• 3 - 5 p.m.:
  International Routes: De-occupation, Decolonization, and the
  U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Panelists include Eiko Kosasa, Kekuni Blaisdell, Lynette Cruz, Lorenz Gonschor, Noelani Goodyear-Ka'opua, Ikaika Hussey, Sydney Lehua Iaukea, J. Kēhaulani Kauanui, Terri Kekoolani, Maivân Clech Lâm, Soli Niheu, Jon Osorio, Keanu Sai, and Kūhiō Vogeler. 'Ike: Historical Transformations is presented by Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies and 'Imi Pono Projects with assistance from Ka Lei Maile Ali'i Hawaiian Civic Club, Kanaka Maoli Tribunal Komike, and Ka Pakaukau.

O'ahu Makahiki season opening

Help participate in O'ahu community efforts to re-establish, perpetuate, and celebrate the opening of Makahiki season with ceremonies and makahiki games. Interested participants should contact event organizers by email with any questions concerning protocol, appropriate behavior, attire, and ho'okupu.

• 'Ewa: Moku'ume'ume (Ford Island)
  Lā 24 o 'Okakopa, 7:30 - 11 a.m.
  Interested parties must RSVP in advance as access to Moku'ume'ume is controlled. Contact Shad Kane, kiha@hawaii.rr.com
  
  
• Ko'olauloa: QLCC's Hale 'Aha, Punalu'u
  Lā 24 o 'Okakopa, 6 a.m.
  Contact 'Umi Kai, ulupono1@gmail.com, (808) 840-5510, or Kaha Toledo, olohekaha@gmail.com, (808) 392-7233
  
  
• Wai'anae: Mākua
  Nā lā 20-21 o Nowemapa
  Interested parties must RSVP in advance as access to Mākua is limited. Also, participants must attend a Friday orientation session. Contact William Ailā, ailaw001@hawaii.rr.com, (808) 330-0376
  
  
• Ko'olaupoko: Kualoa Regional Park
  Nā lā 4-6 o Kepakemapa, 2009
  Families are encouraged to come camp from Friday - Sunday.

Hawaiian organizations interested in participating must RSVP in advance. Contact 'Umi Kai, ulupono1@gmail.com, (808) 840-5510

Mailani Makainai will headline the entertainment at the 36th annual Maui Senior Fair. Photo courtesy Mountain Apple Company.

Mailani to headline Maui senior fair Oct. 24

Thousands of Maui seniors, family and friends will descend on the War Memorial Gymnasium on October 24 starting at 8 a.m. to celebrate caring for themselves and each other with food, fun, information, and entertainment by Mailani and Doctor Trey, Kaunoa Seniors/Judy's Gang, the Lahaina Seniors, Tim Eleneki, Nadao and Aiko Makimoto, Evette Lau and Elvis impersonator Jan McDonald.

Explore more than 70 vendors including health and wellness suppliers, crafts booths and over 20 food booths. Maui Community College's Health Center will be giving flu shots. Skin cancer, blood pressure and cholesterol checks will also be available. For more information, contact Maui Economic Opportunity at (808) 249-2990.

Keaukaha to host robotics tournament Nov. 7

Robotics teams from around Hawai'i island will come to Keaukaha on November 7 for the Hawai'i First Lego League HELCO Tournament and Jr. First Lego League Exposition. The event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and is open to the public. Participating teams include Keaukaha El., E.B. de Silva El., Hawai'i Academy of Arts & Sciences, Kahakai El., Kealakehe Middle, Kealakehe High, St. Joseph School, Waiākea El., Waiākeawaena El., Waimea El., Waimea Middle, and West Hawai'i Explorations Academy.

Lyon Arboretum receives $250,000 for rare plants

The University of Hawai'i at Mānoa's Lyon Arboretum has been awarded a $248,952 National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington, D.C., for research on rescue, recovery and storage of Hawai'i's most critically endangered native plants. Proposed activities for the three-year project will address issues that have the greatest impact on plants in culture and seed storage and the management of off-site collections. The probability of successfully establishing in vitro cultures is directly related to the collection process and handling of field collected plant material.