NATIVE HAWAIIAN HEALTH FESTIVAL DRAWS 4,500

The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs (AHCC) hosted the 1st Native Hawaiian Health Festival at the Bishop Museum, on Sunday, March 9th. A blending of health and culture, the festival was the idea of Kaho‘onei Panoke, AHCC Prince Kuhio Festival chairman, who was motivated by a statement made by Majken Mechling, Executive Director of the American Diabetes Association in Hawaii, “If you Native Hawaiians don’t take control over this disease, all of this discussion that is going on about land and settlements will be for naught because there will be no Native Hawaiians.” The festival brought together agencies and organizations to share information related to Native Hawaiian Health. Honored were two distinguished health professionals, Dr. Kalani Brady, current Physician of the Year recently awarded by the Hawai‘i Medical Association for his commitment to community service; and Dr. Claire Hughes, warrior in the continued development of Hawaiian Health programs.

About 4,500 participants heard the mana‘o of a variety of featured speakers on health issues. Event activities included exercises led by Keoni Subiono & Fitness Together Manoa, dental screening by the Ke Ola Mamo “Minoaka” project, a keiki corner, talks on Healthy Lifestyles by Halona Tanner, PhD; Suicide Prevention by Pua Kaninau, MSW; Paddling for Wellness by Nappy & Anona Napoleion; HIV/AIDS Among Native Hawaiian Community by Kaina Lota, Life Foundation; Nutrition and Exercise by Kapuaola Gellert; and Traditional Healing by Babette Galang. There were wonderful cultural demonstrations on kahili, lei, coconut weaving, lauhala weaving, and taro, and an outstanding educational display by the Wahiawa HCC on Kukaniloko. Under the shade of trees, Lomi lomi practitioners with Hui Maoli Ola left many with lightened bodies and a feeling of contentment. The Ka Lei Maile Ali‘i Hawaiian Civic Club presentation of the Queen’s Play, a re-enactment of a meeting in Hilo, Hawaii on the Ku‘e Petition, played to a standing room only audience.

A beautiful day, participants enjoyed ono-licious food prepared by Hawaiian Civic Clubs and Hawaiian music by notable musicians George Kuo, Eddie Kamai, AaronMahi, Melveen Leed, Nina Keali‘iwahamana, Walter Keale and Friends, Holonape, Manana Elementary School, Kawika Trask, Kaleo Chang’s trio; and hula performances by na halau hula, Ka Hale I O Kahala (Leimomi Maldonado); Pua Ali’i ‘Ilima (Vicky Holt-Takamine); Halau Ka Pa Hula O Ka Lei Hulu Hiwa (Jack McKeague); and Bishop Museum (Noelani Chang).

“The health of our Native Hawaiian people has always been a priority for the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs. Meaningful partnerships are important to realizing this priority.” said Leimomi Khan, President of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs. “Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana’ole, Founder of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, whose birthday we celebrate this month, would have been proud of today’s event. Concerned with the health and wellness of the lahui, he would have been appreciative of such organizations as Papa Ola Lokahi, Ke Ola Mamo, ‘Ahahui O Na Kauka, Hui Maoli Ola, and including the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, American Cancer Association, the Epilepsy Foundation, the Life Foundation and many others who came together to realize today’s event. E Ola Na ‘Oiwi O Hawaii!”

Sponsors of the Native Hawaiian Health Festival and other Kuhio Festival activities are the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kamehameha Schools, Queen Lili‘uokalani Children’s Center, Queen’s Foundation, Papa Ola Lokahi, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Bishop Museum, Hawaii Hotel Association, and Hawai‘i Maoli.


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