Sunday, June 10, 2012

Estelle Kahawaiola'a Halualani Drew 90th Birthday Celebration



Sunday, June 10, 2012 was a beautiful day to celebrate the 90th birthday of Estelle Kahawaiola'a Halualani Drew which was held at the SHOPO Hall (Oahu).  The gathering included many family, friends, classmates, Estelle Ohana and her only living brother Arthur Halualani. Estelle has three children, Randy, Marlene and Elmer Drew (photo above).  There were an estimated 500 people that attended and special guests former Mayor, Mufi Hanneman and OHA Trustee, Haunani Apoliona stopped by to wish Estelle a Happy 90th birthday.


The family traces its history back to a Kohala man, Komomua, and his marriage to a high chiefess of He’eia, Koa’o Moku Moku o He’eia, in the 1800s. Estelle Drew and Loretta Morgan (sisters) are of the Jones line in this family; other clans include the Adams, McCabes, Rowans, Sylvesters, Scotts and Wongs, the Komomua family branching out as men from many places married in. During their childhood much of the extended family lived in the Haiku area, on a single stretch of road. “There was my grandfather and grandmother and all their children. My father bought the property next to that. And so on and so on,” Drew says. “Actually, our family was big enough to be called a tribe,” adds Morgan.
It was a community of small farms growing pigs, chickens, taro and flowers. A stream ran through the land, bringing fresh springwater and a supply of freshwater opae, or crayfish. “Above, we used it for drinking water, below you bathe and wash dishes,” Morgan recalls. Their parents, Solomon and Lillian Jones Halualani, had five boys and three girls, plus one adopted girl. Their grandparents had 20 children, biological and hanai. “Hawaiian-style,” Drew says, start with your own kids, “then you adopt.” The family traces and history information was provided by Estelle Drew and Sister Loretta Morgan (who passed away on April 30, 2010) to Betty Shimabukuro. Photos and Video "click here." 

Sunday, June 3, 2012

OHCRA 22nd Annual Regatta Season Opener "Honoring Clement D. Paiaina"

On Sunday, June 3, 2012 at Ke'ehi Lagoon, the O'ahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association (OHCRA) Regatta Season began with Healani Canoe Club as the opening Sponsor. OHCRA was established in 1979 and is a proud sponsor of the Molokai Hoe, the men's Molokai to Oahu canoe race and is considered around the world to be the Olympics of canoe paddling. The Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association (OHCRA) is a non profit organization dedicated to perpetuating the original sport of Hawaiian Koa canoe racing. OHCRA holds 31% of their membership with over 3000 paddlers. Information provided by OHCRA.

Today's event is in honor of Clement D. Paiaina, former President of the Healani Canoe Club.  It started off with Richard "Babe" Bell and the blowing of the "Pu" Hawaiian name for conch shell followed with a blessing by Kahu priest Sherman Thompson for the Healani Canoe Club. Today's sponsor, Healani (which means "heavenly call") Canoe Club was established on March 23, 1890 and the original name of the club was "Healani Boat Club." The club became a member of OHCRA in 1950 and was given the number desgnation of 1. The other founding members of OHCRA weere the Outrigger Canoe Club, Waikiki Surf Club, and Hui Nalu Canoe Club. Healani made its home at the Ala Wai canal. They also won the fiberglass divsion of the men's Molokai race in 1966, 1967, and 1968. They also won the Koa Division in 1970 and 1971. The women won the Molokai crossing in 1979.  Information provided by Healani Canoe Club.

Thank you to OHCRA Executive Board, President Luana Froiseth, 1st VP Clinton "Lapule" Schultz, 2nd VP Jenifer Bossert, Treasurer Cheryl Campbell, Recording Secretary Pua Paiaina, Corresponding Secretary Katie Scott and Race Director Stan Dickson for the opportunity to cover their 2012 Season Opener Regatta race.  Special recognition to the Healani Canoe Club and board members, R/L President Clement Paiaina Jr., VP Pua Paiaina, Secretary Celeste Paiaina and Head Coad Kea Paiaina for sponsoring this season opener. Race Results "click here." To view video and photos "click here."