Poke Nūhou - News briefs

By Ka Wai Ola Loa Staff

Native Hawaiian Convention brings native issues to the forefront

The ninth annual Native Hawaiian Convention opened Oct. 12 with a Convention Marketplace, Sovereignty in Action Forum including an oli workshop by Kumu Hula Leinaala Kalama Heine and a speech by OHA CEO Clyde Nämu‘o, above. The keynote address was given by Kiran Ahuja, the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, which President Obama re-established in 2009. The convention, organized by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and supported by lead sponsor, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, wrapped up Oct. 14 and featured, among other things, an all-day Grants Forum, a Governor's Candidate Luncheon and a Pacific Islander Policy Forum in partnership with the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. For more on the conference, see the November issue of Ka Wai Ola. - Photo: Zach Villanueva

PTAC offers contracting workshop
The Hawai‘i Procurement Technical Assistance Center plans to offer a Government Contracting: General Services Administration and Naval Supply Systems Command workshop from 10 a.m. to noon on Nov. 9 at the Honolulu Airport conference meeting rooms.

Leading the workshop will be Claus Prufer, Program Manager of HI-PTAC, which is primarily funded by the Defense Logistics Agency with support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Registration for the free workshop is required by contacting Letty Ojeda at 594-1986 or leticiao@oha.org.

For information on HI-PTAC, visit www.hiptac.org.

UH-Hilo Hawaiian Language College gains international accreditation
The World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium (WINHEC) in August at its annual meeting at Sami University College in Guovdageaidnu, Norway, awarded its first accreditation to the University of Hawaii at Hilo Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikölani College of Hawaiian Language for its Hawaiian Mauli Ola Education System P-20 education system.

This accreditation is given to institutions that demonstrate a strong educational commitment to language, culture and traditional practices in their community.

The use of Hawaiian language for instruction in the P-20 system has a proven record of yielding college and career ready high school graduates. “Several features of this accreditation make this recognition significant,” said Dr. Kalena Silva, Director of Ke‘elikölani College. “Indigenous people throughout the world are losing their language to extinction. This WINHEC accreditation recognizes Ke‘elikölani College’s success in revitalizing Hawaiian and in creating and educational model from which other indigenous peoples may learn and take inspiration.”

Founded on the principles of the 1993 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the WINHEC provides an international forum and support for Indigenous Peoples to pursue common goals through higher education.

$67K Awarded to Hawaiian student scholars
Eighteen students were to be recognized at a Hawai‘inuiäkea Honors Student Scholars reception on Friday, Oct. 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Hälau ‘O Haumea, Kamakaküokalani Center of Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawai‘i at Mänoa.

The private reception honored students who have been awarded scholarships to pursue studies in all areas and forms of Hawaiian knowledge as they prepare for leadership roles in their future careers.

“Giving the gift of education is integral to nurturing the next generation of Native Hawaiian leaders who are grounded in a Hawaiian worldview, skilled in academic disciplinary knowledge and practice, and committed to service and social justice,” said Maenette Benham, Dean of the Hawaiʻinuiäkea School of Hawaiian Knowledge.

Scholarship donors were also thanked, because as Benham said, “Just as important as the students and their families is thanking our scholarship donors as they help us build strong learning experiences across our programs.”

Scholarship recipients are: Meghan Au, Wayne Hinano Brumaghim, Lauren Malialani Cabaniss, Jenny Leigh Estrella, Lokelani Fergerstrom, Megan Goo, Kalihaualaki Gouveia, Brooke Hutchins, Mae Jeremiah-Wong, Shaun Pilialoha Kamakea-Young, Kaʻiulani Kanehailua, Lindsay Kido, Bryan Kuwada, Lufi Ann Luteru, Makana Kamahaʻo Mattos, Mikaellia Kanoe McGuinness, Christopher Pokipala, and Kanoe Suganuma Wilson.

Hawai‘inuiäkea’s 11 scholarships support undergraduate and graduate students who pursue degrees in Hawaiian language, Hawaiian studies, or Hawaiian culture in a related field.

The scholarships include: Center for Hawaiian Studies Scholarship Fund, Dorothy M. Kahananui Scholarship, Emalani V. Searfoss Memorial Scholarship, Gladys ʻAinoa Brandt Scholarship Fund, John Dominis Holt Scholarship, Kamaka Von Oel Hoffen Scholarship, Lokomaika‘iokalani Snakenberg Scholarship, Nā Leo ʻŌiwi Scholarship, Pacific Islands Institute Hawaiian Studies Graduate Scholarship, and Red Mandarin and Lady Yi Shen Scholarship.

Panelists to address injustice, Massie Case
A panel will mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Joseph Kahahawai with a free discussion on the Massie Case and its relevance today. Kahahawai was a young man in the early 1930s when he and four other local men were wrongly accused of raping a white woman, Thalia Massie.

Kahahawai was later killed by vigilantes, whose sentences were commuted to one hour "spent over drinks with the governor," according to a press release the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i, a co-presenter of the forum with the Japanese American Citizens League-Honolulu Chapter and the University of Hawai‘i-Mänoa Office of Multicultural Student Services.

The forum will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 21 at the University of Hawai‘i-Mänoa Architecture auditorium. Campus parking is $5.

Panelists are: RaeDeen Keahiolalo-Karasuda, a 2007 Soros Justice Fellow; John Rosa, a UH Assistant Professor in history; Carrie Ann Shirota, a 2009 Soros Justice Fellow and David Stannard, American Studies Professor at UH and author of "Honor Killing: How the Infamous 'Massie Affair' Transformed Hawai‘i."

Kapa artist to share knowledge
Experience the delicate and indigenous art of kapa making through the eyes of artist and cultural practitioner Dalani Tanahy at two free events in October.

Tanahy will share the origins of Polynesian bark cloth, differences between Hawaiian and other Pacific tapa, reasons for the demise of Hawaiian kapa and its revival at an hourlong workshop on Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at Kamehameha Schools-Kapälama Ruth Ke‘elikölani Performing Arts Center. A kapa-making demonstration will include dye making and designs. Call 843-3594.

Tanahy, who teaches kapa techniques at Leeward Community College’s Continuing Education Program, will also speak at a Art Lunch Lecture at the Hawai‘i State Art Museum on Tuesday, Oct. 26, from noon to 1 p.m. For information, visit www.kapahawaii.com.

Research conference to share highlights
Research focusing on Native Hawaiian well-being will take center stage at a conference offering highlights in research, data trends and methods presented by the John A. Burns School of Medicine Department of Native Hawaiian Health, ‘Imi Hale – Native Hawaiian Cancer Network, Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Kamehameha Schools

The conference will take place Oct. 21 and 22 at Ko‘olau Golf Club ballrooms, 45-550 Kionaole Road in Käne‘ohe, O‘ahu.

“The purpose of the research conference is to share new findings of interest to the Hawaiian community and to foster greater dialog among scholars across different fields of study. We feel this year’s theme, ‘Realizing Our Kuleana for the Future,’ speaks to the value of intergenerational relationships, stewardship and mentorship,” said Nolan Malone, Director of Kamehameha Schools Research and Evaluation Division and member of the Conference Steering Committee.
 
Keynote speakers Dr. Naleen Andrade, Professor and Chair of the University of Hawai‘i-Mänoa John A. Burns Schools of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, and Brook Kapükuniahi Parker, a Native Hawaiian artist, will open and close the two-day conference respectively. Workshops and sessions include “Moenahä: An Indigenous Teaching and Learning Framework for Hawaiian Learners” and “Mälama I nä mamo o ka lähui: Social Determinants of Health for Native Hawaiian Children and Adolescents.”

For the conference agenda, registration information and directions, visit: http://www.regonline.com/2010ResearchConference. For information, email researchconf@ksbe.edu or call Dianna K. Shitanishi at 782-4514.