Kipahulu Ohana wins Kahili Award; Reeser retires

On Monday, the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) announced the 2005 winners of their Koa and Kahili Awards. According to the press release:

The Keep it Hawaii Recognition Awards honor the authentic portrayal of the Hawaiian culture, demonstrated commitment to honor and perpetuate the Hawaiian culture and community, and creative and responsible efforts to showcase the native Hawaiian culture, providing visitors and residents with opportunities to experience the true culture.

HTA CEO Rex Johnson says: "The increasing importance of the Hawaiian culture and community in maintaining Hawaii's uniqueness as a destination has continued to be recognized as a high priority issue for Hawaii's visitor industry future and for the well-being of Hawaii's community as a whole."

Here's a story in the Pacific Business News and Erika Engle's Star-Bulletin column about the awards.

The Kipahulu Ohana won the Kahili Award for the community organization category on Maui this year. For those who aren't aware, I am the executive director of Kipahulu Ohana. Among our projects is a restored kalo farm in Haleakala National Park where we host visitors as well as local groups for an authentic Hawaiian experience, and we provide poi for East Maui.

On a related note, the Maui News on Sunday had a long, excellent piece about Don Reeser, the Haleakala National Park superintendent who just retired. Don was instrumental in setting up the cooperative agreement between the Park Service and the Kipahulu Ohana, and was very supportive of our work in the park. Last week, Maui Time had an interview with Don in which he cited Kipahulu Ohana as one of his proudest accomplishments at the park.

Although myself and the founders of the Kipahulu Ohana all support independence, we also have a very constructive relationship with the NPS, based on the practical realities under the current system in which they are the big presence in our backyard, so to speak. Don was well aware of where we stood regarding federal authority in Hawaii, and we always joked with him that after independence he could still work for us. (Don's wife, Bunnie, is a also descendent of Hawaiian subjects.)

So anyway, along with sharing with folks that we have received this award, I wanted to recognize Don's retirement and send out a big mahalo to him for all his support of our efforts, and all the other valuable contributions he has made in protecting Maui's environment.

On another sort of related note, Pacific Business News also reported Monday that poi production is down a third compared with second quarter production last year, and down down 39 percent from the five-year second quarter average.

Posted: Thu - July 28, 2005 at 10:14 AM

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Kipahulu Ohana wins Kahili Award; Reeser retires

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