CONSTITUTION
OF THE
KALIHI PALAMA HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB
PREAMBLE
We are the caretaker of all things relating to Nohona Hawai‘i
The purpose of the Kalihi Palama Hawaiian Civic Club is to advocate for the improved welfare of Native Hawaiians in health, education, housing, agriculture, aquaculture, economic development, and social welfare and to perpetuate and preserve Native Hawaiian cultural traditions, practices, and way of life.
Emphasis is given to addressing laws, programs and services to Native Hawaiians and the community at large located in the Kalihi Palama geographical area, home to such social services agencies as the Queen Liliuokalani Children’s Center, Kōkua Kalihi Valley, and Partners in Development.
Founded in 1967, but chartered by the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs in November 1969, its original members included, Aunty Sue Pine, Aunty Eleanor Williamson, Aunty Marie Olson, Aunty Anna Eagles Wahineho‘okai, Aunty Pearl Kam, Uncle Paul Dabis, Aunty Helena Wilcox Salazar, Uncle Henry Machado, Aunty Joan McCubbin Fabrao, Kupuna Maile Montevon, Kupuna Helen Gandel, and former Governor of the State of Hawaii, John Waihee. Earliest members of the club also included former presidents Dexter Keala Soares and his family and Marilyn Leimomi Khan. Sponsoring club was the Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club, under the direction of the late Hardy Hutchinson, Eleanor Hutchinson, and Nappy Durant.
MOTTO AND VALUES
The club motto is “Ho‘ikaika Like Me Kealoha” (Strive Together with Love). Utilizing the basic Hawaiian values and principals of aloha which is love, affection, compassion, sympathy, and respect for the Lord, our natural world and one another, we practice the values of:
‘Imi Na‘auao: to seek enlightenment, wisdom, and education
Mālama: to care for, to protect, to maintain
‘Ike pono: to know, to see, to feel, to understand, to comprehend, to recognize
Pono: to be righteous, moral, proper, fair
Kuleana: to be responsible
Ho‘oha‘aha‘a: To have humility and humbleness
Lōkahi: To be centered in harmony with man and the universe
Laulima: To work together, to cooperate
Lokomaika‘i: to be generous, kind, humane, and benevolent
ARTICLE I. NAME AND LOCATION
The name of this organization is the Kalihi Palama Hawaiian Civic Club, located in the ‘ahupua’a of Kalihi and within the boundaries set for the Kalihi Palama Neighborhood Board No. 15.
Kalihi is the ahupua’a between Kahuiki and Kapālama in the Kona district which is now known today as Honolulu. Kalihi in the ancient Hawaiian times was made of three main regions, Kalihi Kai, Kalihi Mauka, and Kalihi Waena. The meaning of Kalihi in Hawaiian is, “The Edge”. Kalihi was named by Kamehameha V, and was used as a district name on other islands as well.
ARTICLE II. OBJECTIVES
The Kalihi Palama Hawaiian Civic Club is an all-volunteer organization that is operated solely for the purposes stated and without profit. Its objectives are to advocate for sound laws, programs, and services that support and protect Native Hawaiians and their Hawaiian cultural way of living in all areas related to Na Mea Hawai‘i in the following areas, especially as they impact upon Native Hawaiians residing in the Kalihi ahupua‘a:
- Governing Entities: Support for the overall mission, goals, and objectives of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs and the Moku O Kakuhihewa (O‘ahu Council).
- Sovereignty and Self-Determination of Native Hawaiian
- Hawaiian Rights, including gathering rights, water rights, land rights, etc.
- Public Land Trust
- Hawaiian Home Lands Trust
- Ali’i Trusts: Safeguard Ali‘i Trusts, such as the Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop Trust, Queen Lili’uokalani Trust, and others
- ‘Olelo Hawai’i
- Hawaiian Culture, History, the Arts, and Crafts
- Health: Promote healthy lifestyles and access to Medical Care
- Education: Educational curriculums that accurately convey Hawaii’s history and that incorporate Native Hawaiian teaching methods; Increase the number of Hawai‘i Maoli entering and successfully completing their post secondary educational goals and objectives; support all educational opportunities from pre-natal, pre-school, elementary, middle, high, post high school (undergraduate, graduate, PHD programs in all fields of study; promote and support scholarship programs
- Housing: No Native Hawaiian is left unsheltered
- Kupuna Programs: Support, care for and respect with reverence our Kupuna
ARTICLE III. MEMBERS
Membership is open to anyone, whether Native Hawaiian or not, who supports the mission, goals and objectives of the Kalihi Palama Hawaiian Civic Club. At least 25 members must be of Native Hawaiian blood and at least 25% of the members must be residents or have genealogical or other ties to the ahupua‘a of Kalihi.
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS
The officers of the Kalihi Palama Hawaiian Civic Club shall be the Pelekikena (President), Hope Pelekikena Mua (Vice President), Hope Kākau ‘Olelo (Secretary), and Pu‘ukū (Treasurer) .
ARTICLE V. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors shall consist of the Pelekikena (President), Hope Pelekikena Mua (Vice President), Hope Kākau ‘Ōlelo (Secretary), Pu‘ukū (Treasurer), Pelekikena Iho Nei (Immediate Past President) and at least four elected members to serve as Nā Alaka‘i (Directors). The size of the Board may change as the need arises. This will be determined by the Board of Directors for approval by the membership of the KPHCC. The officers of KPHCC will constitute the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS
Section 1. General membership meetings shall be held at least quarterly on the dates and times as determined by the Board of Directors. Whenever possible, meetings will be held at a location in the ahupua‘a of Kalihi as directed by the President or his/her designee. Quorum is ten members.
Section 2. Board of Directors meetings shall be held at least bi-monthly (every two months) on the dates and times as determined by the President. Quorum is five members of the Board of Directors.
Section 3. Executive Committee meetings shall be held on the dates and times as determined by the President. Quorum is three members.
ARTICLE VII. COMMITTEES
Standing committees include the following:
- Rules Committee
- Finance Committee
- Legislative Committee
- Membership Committee
- Convention Committee
The Pelekikena (President) may appoint other committees, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VIII. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern all meetings, in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the Constitution, Bylaws or special rules of order adopted by the Kalihi Palama Hawaiian Civic Club.
ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended or revised by a majority vote of the membership at a general membership meeting at which a quorum has been met. The effective date of such amendments shall be immediately upon adjournment of the general membership meeting at which amendments were adopted. This Constitution, upon adoption by the general membership, shall supersede all previous Constitutions of the KPHCC.
ARTICLE X. IMPOSSIBILITY PROVISIONS
In the event of an emergency, such provisions of this Constitution as deemed necessary, may be suspended by the KPHCC Board of Directors, by majority vote, at a regular or special meeting. Any suspension under this provision must describe a compelling interest for the suspension and include specific dates when the suspension begins and ends.
Adopted by the General Membership at its meeting on December 15, 2021 by zoom.
