www.laamea.org
Date Chartered: July 21, 2012
Pua: Pīkake
Waiho‘olu‘u: Prussian Blue and Silver
Mele: "He Mele Inoa ‘O Kalākaua"
Makia: Ne‘epapa I Mua Me Ke Aloha
(Moving Forward With Strength And Aloha)
Pelekikena: Malia Lani Chow
Ke Ali'i David La'amea Kalakaua Hawaiian Civic Club 2012
by Malia Lani Chow
Taking the necessary steps to developing a Hawaiian Civic Club in Wisconsin was no easy task. The development of this club would not have been possible without the relentless dedication and kokua of my two mentors, Luana Ahina Johnson (South Dakota), and Kawika Kolomona Kamake'e'aina (Minnesota).
Having meetings, making calls, sending emails, talking with members, signing charters, hours of consultation with Auntie Luana and Kawaka (and at any time day or night)…each step was a small victory in knowing that the process of chartering was going to be a reality.
The process of chartering and organizing meetings was a true journey of discovery. Learning about the history of the Kupuna here, where their 38 families came from, how they ended up in the Midwest, and how their jobs brought them new-found opportunities; and how their children, or grandchildren had often ultimately been the reason for them to stay in the Midwest. For many, it was moving from that 'aina, that had brought them to the realization of the importance of cultural perpetuation for the generations of Midwest Hawaiians to come.
In June, members of the Civic Club went to Cargill Meat Industries to donate their time during lunch hours to teach Hula. After two, one hour long instructional sessions, almost $200 in donations were collected.
One of the Milwaukee ‘ohana’s most beloved kupuna, Auntie Sandie Kanekoa Ho'opai, knowing that a Civic Club here in Wisconsin was the next step in the progress for Wisconsin Kanaka, their keiki and mo'opuna, said it was time for a formal organization. It was she who not only believed in a civic club for us, but also chose the appointed alaka'i and future pelekikena for the Milwaukee club. During this process, and while waiting for a lung transplant, aunty Sandy fell ill, and passed away on March 16th, 2012.
On July 21st,2012, auntie Sandy’s Birthday, was a day of celebration in remembrance and honor of her kind and loving spirit. Ono Kine Grindz Hawaiian Store, the Ho'opai 'Ohana, Hawaiian Civic Club members, and many people here in the Midwest, and the Hawaiian community gathered by the hundreds for this day of celebration. Flowers were donated for lei to the Hawaiian Civic Club by Welke’s Flowers, in Wauwatosa, and the lei were given to Kupuna and volunteers of the event.
After more than 6 months of the club being in development, and many tireless hours of dedication by the mentors and alaka'i, the Milwaukee club was formed. Ke Ali'i David La'amea Kalakaua Hawaiian Civic Club was officially received as a charted club by the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs at their quarterly meeting in Hawai'i.
We are looking forward to the positive development of our club here in Wisconsin.
Sincerely,
Malia Lani Chow
Pelekikena, Ke Ali'I David La'amea Kalakaua Hawaiian Civic Club
