Native Hawaiians Descend on D.C.

It was a nice treat for your island-missing correspondent this week to learn that the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs was holding its 53rd annual convention right here in the nation’s capital.

Native Hawaiians from across the country are meeting at the J.W. Marriott Hotel a few blocks from the White House, and I was there today to listen to new Office of Hawaiian Affairs CEO Dr. Kamanaopono Crabbe lay out his vision for the future of the agency during an hour-long address the convention.

I’ll share more of his thoughts in coming days, as well as updates on resolutions that would take official positions on the controversial Public Land Development Corporation and gambling on Hawaiian Home Lands.

For now, I’ll just say it was nice to see some familiar faces from both Oahu and Kauai, plus plenty colorful Hawaiian lei for the first time in a couple of months.

You can learn more about the convention here.

— Michael Levine