ENGAGE
ENGAGE
Are you interested in becoming civically engaged but don't know where to start? We've put together a list of organizations and initiatives that you can join to help you learn more about what is going on in our communities.
Don't see your organization here? Let us know and we will add it to our listing!
Hawaiian Civic Organizations
The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs is a not-for-profit organization and the oldest Hawaiian community-based advocacy movement. The organization is a federation of individual Hawaiian Civic Clubs located across Hawai’i and the continental United States.
Clubs are organized into five councils: Moku o Keawe (Hawai’i Council), Nā Hono A‘o Pi‘ilani (Maui Council), Ke One o Kākuhihewa (O’ahu Council), Moku o Manokalanipō (Kaua’i Council), and Nā Lei Makalapua (Mainland Council).
The Association is governed by a 18-member volunteer Board of Directors and advocates for improved welfare of Native Hawaiians in culture, health, economic development, education, social welfare, and nationhood, and perpetuates and preserves language, history, music, dance and other Native Hawaiian cultural traditions
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The Royal Order of Kamehameha I was established on April 11, 1865 by his Majesty King Kamehameha V (Lot Kapuaiwa) to honor the legacy of his grandfather, the unifier of these islands, Kamehameha the Great.
The purpose of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I is to unite in fraternal and benevolent work, men of Hawaiian descent, of good moral character, of sound bodily health; to cultivate the cardinal principles of friendship, charity and benevolence; to aid widows and orphans; to improve the social and moral conditions of its members; to provide scholarship assistance; to preserve and perpetuate the ancient culture, customs and traditions of Hawaiʻi, uplift the Hawaiian people; infuse the spirit of patriotism, loyalty, helpfulness and kindness among its members; advance the interest of its members in every rightful cause and to encourage and develop leadership.
There are nine active chapters of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I:
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Moku o Hawai’i (Central O’ahu), Chapter 1
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Moku o Māmalahoa (Hilo, Hawai’i), Chapter 2
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Moku o Kaumuali’i (Kaua’i), Chapter 3
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Moku o Kahekili (Maui), Chapter 4
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Moku o Kūhiō (Windward O’ahu), Chapter 6
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Moku o Kona (Kona, Hawai’i), Chapter 7
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Moku o Kapuaiwa (Leeward O’ahu), Chapter 8
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Moku o Kohala (Kohala, Hawai’i), Chapter 9
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Moku o Puna (Puna, Hawai’i), Chapter 10
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Originally founded in 1864 by Princess Victoria Kamāmalu. The organization was inactive upon her death in 1866 but was reorganized in 1905 by Lucy K. Peabody. The ‘Ahahui Ka‘ahumanu, also called Ka‘ahumanu Society, wear black with yellow lei hulu, black gloves and hat, all symbolic of Queen Ka‘ahumanu.
The ‘Ahahui Ka‘ahumanu is a member of the ‘Aha Hipu‘u and is one of only four Hawaiian Benevolent Royal Societies.
All chapters meet regularly and are very active.
The active chapters are located in:
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‘Ahahui Ka‘ahumanu Chapter I of Honolulu
P.O. Box 2809
Honolulu, HI 96803
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Waimea Chapter II
P.O. Box 642 Kamuela, HI 96743
Founded in July 1907
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Hilo Chapter III
P.O. Box 6897 Hilo, HI 96720
Founded in July 1907
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Wailuku Chapter IV
P.O. Box 46 Kahului, HI 96733
Founded in June 1923
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Kona Chapter V
79-7196 St. Paul’s Rd. Kealakekua HI 96750
Founded April 1913
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Līhuʻe Chapter VI
P.O. Box 285 Koloa, HI 96757
Founded July 1917
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Molokaʻi Chapter VIII
P.O. Box 1737 Kaunakakai, HI 96748
Founded June 1932
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Kohala Chapter IX
P.O. Box 385 Kapaau, HI 96755
Reestablished March 1968
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Hāna Chapter XI
P.O. Box 444 Hana, HI 96713
Founded January 1990
HALE O NĀ ALIʻI O HAWAIʻI
Hale O Nā Aliʻi O Hawaiʻi was originally founded by King David Kalākaua as the Hale Naua Science Society in 1886 with the purpose of gathering and preserving the knowledge of the alii and kahuna, and to promote the advancement of modern science, art and literature. In 1911 the society was renamed Ka Hale O Nā Aliʻi, became inactive and was then re-established in 1918 as Hale O Na Aliʻi O Hawaiʻi by Princess Abigail Wahīikaʻahuʻula Kawānanakoa.
Today, Hale O Nā Aliʻi O Hawaiʻi is one of four benevolent royal society whose mission is to promulgate and cement friendly relations amongst its members, by encouraging them to meet frequently; helping them in time of need, sickness or other troubles; advising them as to the proper way of living and promoting matters for the uplifting of the condition of the Hawaiian people.
There are seven active chapters:
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‘Ahahui Poʻo Helu ʻEkahi - Hālau ʻO Wahīikaʻahuʻula (founded in 1918)
P.O. Box 2477
Honolulu, HI 96804
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Helu ʻElua - Hālau ʻO Kalākaua (founded in 1921)
P.O. Box 642 Kamuela, HI 96743
Founded in July 1907
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Helu ʻEkolu - Hālau ʻO Kapiʻolani (founded in 1921)
P.O. Box 1331
Līhuʻe, HI 96766
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Helu ʻEhā - Hālau ʻO Liliʻuokalani (founded in 1923)
P.O. Box 1631
Lāhaina, HI 96761
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Helu ʻElima - Hālau ʻO Kawānanakoa (founded in 1949)
Founded April 1913
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Helu ʻEono - Hālau ʻO Keliʻiahonui (founded in 1949)
P.O. Box 285 Koloa, HI 96757
Founded July 1917
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Helu ʻEhiku - Hālau ʻO Poʻomaikelani (founded in 2000)
P.O. Box 1737 Kaunakakai, HI 96748
Founded June 1932
COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
Pololū Valley is a wahi pana (legendary place) of Kohala. Pololū and the valleys and ridges beyond were home of the high ranking chiefs of Kohala loko. Here in "Deep Kohala" those of high mana, high kapu, and high kuleana were secreted away. Due to this protective nature, Pololū and the surrounding ʻāina was heavily guarded from outsiders, with fortresses, and strategic battle points along the ridges and gullies of the valleys.
The valley of Pololū is also filled with cultural sites, including burial mounds located in the puʻe one (sand dunes), and deteriorated wetland agriculture systems and marshland area. These sites are now protected by conservation zoning, and many of them are located on private property.
More recently one of these private landowners proposed a Property Consolidation Rezoning and Subdivision (PCRS) application through a letter of intent to the Department of Land and Natural Resources Board. The intent was to propose a consolidation proposal to the County Planning department involving their properties and adjoining state of Hawaiʻi property. The approval of this letter sparked alarm in the community because of the resulting lots of sale along the rim. The proposed consolidation would also result in the state of Hawaiʻi owning the valley floor, and a 5-acre parcel of land along the Akoni Pule Highway for the proposed parking lot and rest station by District Representatives.
It is apparent through the currently poor enforcement of visitor behaviors in the valleys and by the state in their areas of their jurisdiction in the valley: along the trailhead, that the State is already failing at being an adequate steward of these ʻāina. The lineal descendants of Pololū who still live in the adjoining village of Niuliʻi/Makapala are also greatly opposed to the development of houses along the rim of the valley in the adjoining ahupuaʻa of Makahikahiō, along with the development of a rest area. How will the state be able to take care of these new facilities when they cannot even maintain what is already there?
The Protect Pololū ʻOhana feels that it is better for the state to take care of the existing, hazardous trail conditions and run-down parking lot and trailhead before developing further facilities.
CIVIC OPPORTUNITIES
Oʻahu’s Neighborhood Board System was created in 1973 to assure and increase community participation in the decision-making process of government. The system applies the concept of participatory democracy, involving communities in the decisions that affect them. It establishes an islandwide network of elected neighborhood boards as communication channels, expanding and facilitating opportunities for community and government interaction.
Neighborhood Boards are monthly open forums between government representatives, elected officials, and members of the community. Members of the public have the right to submit testimony on any and all agenda items.
The mission of the Neighborhood Commission is to increase and assure effective citizen participation in the decisions of government through the establishment of policy, providing oversight and evaluation, as well as facilitating the efficient organization and operation of the Neighborhood Board System.
There are 33 Neighborhood Boards in the City and County of Honolulu.