Membership Activities

50th Anniversary Celebration

THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF KAʻŪ was held at the Pahala Community Center on Saturday, August 17, 2019 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

DANTE CARPENTER, the first president of the Civic Club, was honored along with his wife, Olan. Carpenter is a former state Senator, former Hawaiʻi County Mayor, and former County Councilman. He worked as an engineer for Hutchinson and Kaʻū Sugar companies, and was integral in the founding of the Hawaiian Civic Club of Kaʻū.

During his time living in Kaʻū, he was President of the Nāʻālehu School Parent Teachers Association and Kaʻū History Society. He was also a merchant marine, graduating from the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, after growing up on Oʻahu. Carpenter later served as a Lt. Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He has also chaired the Hawaiʻi Democratic Party.

The celebration will also featured Kumu Hula Lorilei Shirakawa and her hālau, Kumu Hula Hanna Uribes and her kupuna hula hālau, local entertainers Makana Kamahele, Chase Cabudol, and Dane Sesson, and Nā Hoku Hanohano-winning recording artist and Ka'ū boy Ken Makuakane.  

Attendees experienced a song sung for the first time in public from Hawaiian songwriter, producer, and performer, Kenneth Makuakane. The words reflect on the history of Hawaiian activists as they gave their lives to stop military weapons testing on the island of Kahoʻolawe. The song also refers to the positive influences of such people as Israel Kamakawiwoʻole and his inspirational version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Its contemporary topic is the future of Maunakea, as protests continue regarding expansion of the telescope campus there, with the song acknowledging the reverence for the mauna that is felt by Hawaiian people. Makuakane, whose family is from Nāʻālehu, said he hopes to record the song very soon.

     The Hawaiian Civic Club anniversary drew members from other civic clubs and many of the founders of the Kaʻū organization. Its president, Berkeley Yoshida, introduced one of the founders, and former Hawaiʻi Island mayor and state senator, Dante Carpenter, who described Kaʻū people as strong and independent. He worked for the old sugar plantation and told many stories of his life here. The chef for the evening was ʻĀina Akamu, who instructs future chefs at Kaʻū High School.

(from the Ka'ū Calendar)