Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 10, 1 October 1988 — Royal Order of Kamehameha Elects 1988-89 Officers [ARTICLE]

Royal Order of Kamehameha Elects 1988-89 Officers

A slate of new state officers was elected by members of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I at its annual convention held August 25-27 at Kahului, Maui. This year's gathering was especially important because election of the order's highest position, the Alii Nui, was held. Re-elected to this post was Clifford Anderson, Captain of Security at Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate. Officers of the Alii chapter (state) for 1988-1989

in addition to Anderson, are: Lyons K. Naone, Mamo Alii Nui (immediate past president); William Kahele, Ka Ka'olelo Nui (president); Aloysius Spenser, La'au Alii Nui (vice-president; Paul Kekuewa, Kaukau Alii Nui, (junior line chief); Joshua Akana, Ku'auhau Nui (secretary); Heine Kamai, 'A'ipu'upu'u Nui (treasurer); ' Edward Wilcox,

Wehiwehi Kanawai Nui (counselor); Christian Bal, Kahuna Kuhikuhi Pu'uone Nui (ehaplain); Allan Kalehuawehe, Ilamuku Nui (sergeant-at-arms); David Waiwaiole, Malama Mo'olelo Nui (assistant secretary); John Low, Malama Waiona Nui (assistant treasurer); Francis Gora, Kaiku'ono Loko (inner guard); George Kahanu, Kaiku'ono Waho (outside guard). Officers of the Alii chapter meet twice a year. Regional chapters meet twice a month.

Guest speakers addressing the 150 members and spouses present included Maui Mayor Hannibal Tavares and Hawaiian cultural specialist Sam Kaai. Kaai spoke on the need for Hawaiians to take an active role in preservation of their culture. In addition to business meetings, there was a lu'au at the Hale Nanea clubhouse of the Maui chapter. Certificates of commendation for achievement and community service were awarded to Dr. Miehael Chun, new president of Kamehameha Schools. Leon Sterlina. crew member of the

Hokule'a, and Governor John D. Waihee, III. The Women's Auxiliary of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I also presented its first lei Kamoe award to longtime member Mrs. Elizabeth Nalani Ellis. The award is to honor a woman of Hawaiian ancestry for her service to the Order, and whose contributions to Hawaiian language, culture and tradition have also been recognized by other Hawaiian organizations. Mrs. Ellis, a retired educator and DOE administrator, is a charter member of the Queen Emma Hawaiian Civic Club, and also amemberofthe Alii Pauahi Civic Club. She is also a member of the Kaahumanu Society, the Daughters of Hawaii, a

member of Aiu Like s Na Leo O Na Kupuna, and the Lanakila Senior Citizens Hawaiian ensemble. She is also active as a translator for these groups and is presently involved in a project for the Mission Houses Museum. Among the Royal Order's current activities, aecording to Joshua Akana, Ku'auhau nui (state secretary), are plans to reactivate the Kuhio chapter in Waimanalo and the Kalanianaole chapter on Moloka'i, and to put a greater emphasis on scholarship fundraising. This year the group has awarded five scholarships, the greatest number yet.

The Royal Order of Kamehameha I was founded in 1865 by King Kamehameha V as a hui of political advisors. Ten years later, however, the order "went underground" according to Alii Nui Anderson, but it continued to work for the monarchy. Even after the overthrow of the Hawaiian mon-

archy in 1893, the order continued as a secret organization. The club was re-established in 1906 as a secret organization similar to the Masonic order, by Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole. T oday, its purpose is to assist members and the communitv in preservation of Hawaiian culture

and tradition, and to preserve the name of King Kamehameha I and Pnnee Kuhio. Membership is open to men of Hawaiian ancestry. Statewide membership is approximately 450. The Royal Organization of Kamehameha I will observe the 125th anniversary of its founding in 1990.