May 2016 Newsletter

CLUB QUIETLY MARKS ITS 53RD BIRTHDAY 

It was Hauoli la hanau (Happy Birthday) for the Wakinikona Hawaiian Club at our April meeting/potluck on Sat, Apr 23rd at the Newport Hills Swim & Tennis Club in Bellevue. We had about 20 members, plus guests who enjoyed dinner including a couple of Hawaiian kine food items and a big cake to celebrate this special occasion. There was some time for kanikapila involving several long-time members of the club. Most notably among the singers and musicians were Larry Kamahele, Reidar Smith and Peter Nova. It was a treat to see and then hear Peter as he has been slowed by a stroke over a year ago. It never ceases to amaze how music and good friendship can put a spark in a person’s life. Keep chugging along, Peter! See photo 
Following up on an item in last month’s newsletter, a couple of WHC members attended the Hawaiian community meeting on Hawaiian Self Governance on Sun, May 1st at the APCC in Tacoma. It was a good opportunity coordinated by April Baker from the Moku Aina a Wakinekona Hawaiian Civic Club (MAWHCC) to hear a variety of differing opinions, historical perspectives, corrections and clarifications of misinformation, and some broadening of understanding on a couple of issues. We were very fortunate to have in attendance a Hawaiian who was born and educated here in the PNW who was visiting his parents. Derek Kaunoe is a lawyer serving as OHA’s governance manager and, thus has extensive knowledge about all the divisive issues surrounding Hawaiian selfgovernance. His comments were his personal insights and not speaking on behalf of OHA. Some takeaways: —If you haven’t already done so, get yourself enrolled in Kanaiolowalu at

www.kanaiolowalu.org —Go to the new website to learn more about this current effort on Hawaiian nation building-- www.HawaiianNation.com —Share all of this with your ‘ohana. Encourage them to similarly enroll, so they can vote when the time comes. We’re forming a lahui and they need to be on board to have their voices heard

Wakinikona Hawaiian Club Officers

 President
      Kimo Douglas
Vice President
      Bryan Pule
Secretary
      Anne Dahlin
Treasurer
      Priscilla Dahlin
Chaplain
      Nani Stormo
Sgt-at-Arms
      John Yoneda
Trustee - One  yr Term
      Mike Sturrock
Trustee - Two yr Term
Leilani Vaughn
Trustee - Three yr Term
Megan Sturrock
     The Wakinikona Hawaiian Club Newsletter is published monthly by the club’s Corresponding Secy.  Members wishing to submit articles should get them to Stan Dahlin by the end of each month.  Send email to scdahlin@comcast.net
    For membership info, contact our Membership Chairman, Larry Kamahele, at 8701 Madrona Lane, Edmonds, WA 98026, or Tel: 425 776-9420.  For payment of dues or questions on dues, contact club treasurer, Priscilla Dahlin at 14918 SE 183rd Street, Renton, WA 98058 or email to: pkdahlin@comcast.net.

---

Proper Preparation Improves Chances for Success
written by Stan Dahlin 

    I recently saw two events that reminded me of the importance of planning and preparation.  The Merrie Monarch Hula Festival showcases outstanding performances by many hula halau,  Yet, not commonly seen is the tremendous work done behind the scenes to prepare the kumu  (teacher) and na haumana (students) for this event.  Similarly, the Hokule’a’s Malama Honua,  the 3-year voyage around the world, with crew changes in South America and the Caribbean took a huge amount of planning and preparation for these two simple legs.  The point I’m making is the truth and wisdom still found today in another ‘oleo no’eau (proverb, sage advice):
 
  A’ohe ‘ulu e loa’a i ka pokole o kao lou

No breadfruit can be reached when
the picking stick is too short
 
     Our ancestors knew that being prepared and ready well in advance improves the chances for success.  The particular saying above pertains to the ‘aina, yet there are corollary sayings on preparedness for the kai, for example making enough fish hooks or fishing lines before the time for rough seas.
     With the hula halau, consider the research needed to get the hula movements just right to fit the wording, the costumes to match the story being told, the flight arrangements to Hilo and back, the accommodations while there, the food planning for the whole halau, the practice venes, the local transportation, etc.  With the Hokule’a, think of the visas needed, ports where entry is permitted, provisions to be purchased and loaded onto the canoe, communications with visiting country agencies (maritime, customs, health, First Nations people, etc.), plus the flight and accommodation arrangements for the in-bound crew, and the home-bound crew.  It takes a huge amount of preparation to successfully complete any project or event.  Always plan and prepare ahead of time. 
Written by Stan Dahlin

Next Meeting Notice

WHEN:       Saturday,  May 21, 2016  
TIME:         5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
WHERE:  Newport Hills Swim & Tennis Club,
                        Bellevue, WA
 

  
 Schedule of Events
May 21    WHC Monthly mtg/potluck
                     NHS&TC, Bellevue, 5 PM
  



May 27    Listening Session on Asian
                    American & Pacific Islander
                    Aging, at ACRS on MLK Jr
                    Way, Seattle.  9am-12pm
                    Sponsored by The White
                    House Initiative on Asian
                    American and Pacific Is-
                    landers,
 
May 28    Na Poe o ke Kai Regatta,
                     Green Lake, Seattle
                     8:30am-5pm
This is a Wakinikona Hawaiian Club sponsored event. Going to have a great raffle! Taking donations for raffle up to the day of raffle --- gonna have PLENTY GOODIES ! 
 
Jun 4         Bridge of Aloha Festival,
                     Ferndale Events Center,
                     Ferndale, WA 10am-9pm   
 
Jun 15      WHC Monthly mtg/potluck
                     NHS&TC, Bellevue, 5 PM
 

---

Our small contingent of paddlers at the Manu Baker Sprint Regatta. Displaying their 3rd place trophy are Mark McDermott, Stan Dahlin, Dave Rawlins, Brian Minsk, & Lani Haase. Bryan Pule is missing from the photo.

Flashing his shaka sign and wearing a huge smile is Dave Rawlins after successfully steering his first sprint race—1500m w/ 5 turns

Pulama hitched and reading to head back home. Notice the safety flag fashioned by Priscilla Dahlin.

Above: Our Open Women’s Crew still looking fresh after completing the 9.6 mi course. From left to right are Jessy Hardy, Kai Yoshimura, Melissa Swanson, Susan Calero, Jan Heikkila, & Diane Yuen-Ginnett.

Here is Bryan Pule! and the 3rd place trophy crew from the Manu Baker Sprint Regatta. Way to give 'em.