Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce Selects Awardee

By David Kvasnicka

The Maui Native Chamber of Commerce has selected Akina Aloha Tours to receive the Na Wai Eha Award at the upcoming 3rd Annual Ko’i Award Dinner.

Photo by Shane Teagarden.

The award dinner will be held at the Grand Wailea on Friday, September 2, 2011 at 6 p.m.

The Chamber said Akina Aloha Tours were selected because of “success in business, the community and education.”

It is the highest award that the Chamber hands out. Akina Aloha Tours owners Douglas and Sandra Akina were informed of their selection today.

Two other awards are to be announced on the night. A past President of the Chamber will also receive the Pelekikena (President) award.

While the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce is intended to help and promote Native Hawaiian business, a spokesperson for the organization said that it does not exclude non-Native Hawaiians. The Chamber says that it supports anyone who is “Hawaiian at heart.”

The award dinner will follow the 5th Annual Business Fest organized by the Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce. The Business Fest will be an all-day event, from 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m. September 2, also at the Grand Wailea. A sunrise ceremony with canoes landing at Grand Wailea Beach will start the day, followed by traditional Hawaiian ceremonies and a feast.