The annual Native Hawaiian Convention officially opened in the Seattle area today on a Native American reservation.
Hawaii News Now reports some 1,300 Native Hawaiians from 37 states are registered to attend. Convention organizers chose Washington state as the site of their convention because it has the third largest Native Hawaiian population after Hawaii and California.
They also intentionally chose a Native American resort to host the convention.
“They are also water people,” said Kuhio Lewis, Hawaiian Council CEO, to KHON2. “It’s a chance to connect with our fellow Natives. There is so much we have in common…It’s long overdue that we strengthen this bond with natives across America.”
Themes during the three-day conference include honoring the past, uplifting the present and advancing the future.
Naomi Jose came with her mom to the conference. She is from Federal Way, WA and made the 90-minute trek to attend. Both are lei makers which brings a special feeling for Jose.
“You’re brought back to this moment of time. And it recalls these memories for you. How do you take that, and you’re in the moment of being whole and being aligned, how do you keep it when you’re away? And I think lei helps us stay connected,” she said.
Registration is closed for Common Ground: Building Together conference and gala award banquet in San Francisco on January 24. A shoutout to our planning committee: Jane Chin, Frank Mah, Jeannie Young, Akemi Tamanaha, Nathan Soohoo, Mark Young, Dave Liu, and Yiming Fu.
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