Hawaiian Homes Commission Act Conference Still a go

Prince Kuhio spearheaded the 1921 Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. Courtesy image.

The Centennial Puwalu (conference) will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 21 at Above The Wave co-share workspace, 400 Hana Highway, Suite B.

To address current health concerns, the inaugural event offers six strategies, according to an
announcement today from Kainoa Lei MacDonald of co-sponsor Credit Edge Solutions LLC.

“Everyone is ready, excited to holomua and bring their mana’o (opinions) to our event,”
MacDonald said of the puwalu.

“We can add value to each attendee with a goal to lift them (from) uncertainty or confusion, and have them leave empowered, elevated and excited for the future; so that they will share their experience and knowledge with others.”

The strategies include social distancing (elbow bumping instead of hugging or kissing), and the provision of face masks, hand-sanitizing gel, hand wipes, and reduced $45 tickets from $75 per attendee. In deference to those wishing to participate from home, Zoom online technology will be available for distance learning and interacting.

The Centennial Puwalu celebrates the anniversary of the 1920 Hawaiian Homes Commission Act (HHCA) federal trust providing the native Hawaiian homestead program. The event also advances the March 26, 1871, birthday of Prince Kuhio, considered the father of the HHCA. A state holiday next week Thursday salutes the 10-term congressional delegate.

The puwalu features presenters speaking on HHCA cornerstones, including as follows:

Wailuku Councilwoman Tasha Kama of Keokea homestead, on housing; Alohalani
Smith of Kaupo and Kealapono Sterling of Kahikinui homestead, on farming and
ranching; MacDonald, on mercantile, and Ka`eo Ornellas of Waiohuli homestead, on
water.
Also, Robin Puanani Danner of Anahola homestead on Kaua`i will keynote the puwalu,
on the history and significance of the century-old HHCA. She chairs the statewide,
Sovereign Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations, or SCHHA.
The event is open free to those committing to consensus actions, such as:
• Sign up with SCHHA.
• Sign up for the Credit Edge Solutions program.
• Attend and/or volunteer for all three 2020 puwalu, also set to start June 19 and
Sept. 11.
• Attend monthly meetings of the Maui/Lana`i Mokupuni Council, a consortium of
15 Maui County homesteads and associations.

For information and tickets, contact MacDonald at [email protected] or (808) 419-5646.