Poke Nūhou - News briefs

By Ka Wai Ola Loa Staff

OHA Board congratulates master weaver

Surrounded by family and haumana – many of whom donned woven lauhala hats — Aunty Gladys Kukana Grace received a resolution from the OHA Board of Trustees on Oct. 7 honoring her recognition as a 2010 Heritage Fellow, the nation’s highest award for folk artists. A master lauhala weaver, Grace, pictured seated with lei, teaches her students not only the art of lauhala weaving but the importance of weaving values into their lives. Grace, who is 90, took part in the National Heritage Fellowship concert Sept. 24 in Bethesda, Maryland, where she and her students presented a fashion show. To view a video of the concert, visit http://bit.ly/cyRjlu and scroll to 23:45. To read an article on Aunty Gladys in Ka Wai Ola, visit www.oha.org/kwo/2010/08. - Photo: Lisa Asato

OHA welcomes Obama administration officials
In October, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs welcomed 2 Obama administration officials: Lillian Sparks, Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans, and Kirin Ahuja, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Sparks

Ahuja

Both officials were in town for the Council on Native Hawaiian Advancement’s ninth annual Native Hawaiian Convention, for which OHA was the lead sponsor.

Ahuja visited OHA boardroom Oct. 12, along with Kamuela Enos, the Director of Community Resource Development at MA‘O Organic Farms who was recently sworn in as a member of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

One of the main topics the group discussed was pre-K to high school education, and early education in particular. “Preschool and early educational programs are essential to higher education and the betterment of young Native Hawaiians,” said OHA Chief Executive Officer Clyde Nämu‘o. President Obama last year re-established the White House Initiative to help improve the overall quality of life for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, including Native Hawaiians.

Sparks, Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans, met with OHA Trustees, Executives and Staff Oct. 13, for the first time since she stepped into the post earlier this year. Sparks discussed progress at the national level and OHA shared updates on its Mälama Loan Program, which, together with funding from ANA, helps Native Hawaiians with business, home improvement and education. Hearing about how the Mälama Loan helped Native Hawaiian entrepreneur Keola Rapozo get his business Fitted Hawai‘i on its feet, Sparks called it an “awesome story” that “re-energized her outlook to get more funding for Native peoples.” “I am excited for the continual partnership between OHA and the ANA,” she said.

Nominations sought for State Water Commissioner
The State is seeking nominations to the Commission on Water Resource Management.

The seven-member Water Commission has jurisdiction and final authority on matters relating to implementation and administration of the State Water Code. State law requires that each member have “substantial experience in the area of water resource management.” Members serve without pay except for reimbursement for expenses necessary to do the job, including travel.

A Nominating Committee will screen the applicants and send to the Governor the names of at least three individuals for one open position. The Governor will appoint, subject to confirmation by the State Senate.

Nominations along with resumes and applications for the State Boards and Commissions may be sent by Nov. 22 to: Nominating Committee, Commission on Water Resource Management, 1151 Punchbowl St., Room 227, Honolulu, HI 96813.

Visit http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/cwrm/ to learn more about the Commission, or to download the application form. Applications may also be picked up at the above Punchbowl Street addres

Humpback whale advisory council accepting applications through Dec. 1
The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is accepting applications for primary and alternate seats representing Business/Commerce, Citizen-at-Large, Commercial Shipping, Conservation, Ocean Recreation, Tourism, and Whale Watching on its Sanctuary Advisory Council. Deadline to apply is Dec. 1.

Council members serve two-year terms. The advisory council was formed in 1996 to provide advice to sanctuary management on the management and protection of the sanctuary. Council members also serve as community liaisons, relaying the community’s interests, concerns and management needs to the sanctuary.

The application form can be downloaded online at http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/.

Before submitting the application, please read the Council Charter and the Council Handbook (available on the link above) to familiarize yourself with the Council's roles and responsibilities. For more information, contact Council Coordinator Joseph Paulin at joseph.paulin@noaa.gov or (808) 397-2651 ext. 257.

Applications sought for UH’s ‘Imi Ho‘öla program

Are you interested in becoming a physician and serving in Hawai‘i or the broader Pacific region?

The ‘Imi Ho‘öla Post-Baccalaureate Program at the University of Hawai‘i John A. Burns School of Medicine has provided opportunities to individuals from Hawai‘i, and areas such as Guam, Micronesia and American Samoa, and is now accepting applications for the 2011-2012 school year.

Imi Ho‘öla is a one-year program that offers a wide range of educational experiences to prepare participants for a career in medicine. Eligible candidates are from diverse backgrounds and are highly motivated.

If you want to be part of a tradition of excellence and have a desire to serve the community, call 692-1030 for more information. Application materials may be downloaded online at http://jabsom.hawaii.edu/imihoola. Application deadline is Nov. 30.

2 Kamehameha Publishing books earn national recognition

Photo: Courtesy of Kamehameha Publishing

Two bilingual books published by Kamehameha Publishing, "Kohala Kuamo‘o: Nae‘ole’s Race to Save a King" and "Mohala Mai ‘o Hau," earned medals in the 2010 Independent Publisher’s Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, an competition that attracted more than 800 nominations from an international field.

“We’re thrilled to see our Hawaiian artists and authors receive this recognition,” said Dr. Këhau Cachola Abad, Kamehameha Publishing Director. “The awards remind us that our Hawaiian books are valued not only here in Hawai‘i but also among readers beyond our shores.”

"Kohala Kuamo‘o" won the bronze award for Best Illustrator, which was given to artist Aaron Kawai‘ae‘a, who is also the father of author and Kamehameha Schools-Kapälama fifth-grader Kekauleleanae‘ole Kawai‘ae‘a. The mo‘olelo (story) recounts the journey of their ancestor, Nae‘ole, and his quest to save the infant Kamehameha. The book’s release earlier this year commemorated the 200th anniversary of Kamehameha’s unification of the Hawaiian Islands.

Kohala Kuamo‘o Illustrator, artist Aaron Kawai‘ae‘a, Kohala historian Fred Cachola and author and Kamehameha Schools-Kapälama fifth-grader Kekauleleanae‘ole Kawai‘ae‘a. Photo: Courtesy of Kamehameha Publishing

"Mohala Mai ‘o Hau" won the bronze medal in the Multicultural Picture Book category, which was awarded to author Robert Lono ‘Ikuwä and illustrator Matthew Käwika Ortiz. Their whimsical storybook shares a mo‘olelo of four sisters: Niu, Pühala, Lehua and Hau. The youngest, Hau, is overshadowed by her beautiful and talented older sisters, but with the help of her kupuna, Hau begins to blossom as she discovers her unique talents and contributions.

Moonbeam Award winners represent the best books published for children and young adults during the previous year. Entries came from throughout North America and the English-speaking world, and medals went to books representing 34 U.S. states, five Canadian provinces and two other countries.

The Moonbeam Awards ceremony was held Nov. 13 during the inaugural Traverse City Children’s Book Festival in Traverse City, Mich.

TV show tells story behind Maui canoe
A heartwarming story of how a Maui canoe came to be will be told in an hourlong TV special, Ka‘ililä‘au’s Canoe – A Journey of Spirit, airing 7 p.m. Thanksgiving Day on KGMB.

The canoe was built by Kä‘anapali Beach Hotel employees and was named for a Maui youngster who died seven years before his dream of seeing a tree on his family property come to life as a canoe. The canoe now serves as an educational vessel for tourists and the community.

The special by Emme Inc. will also feature an update of Höküle‘a and Hawai‘iloa, two historical canoes built by the Polynesian Voyaging Society. The show will rebroadcast Saturday, Nov. 27 at 6 p.m. on KGMB.