Kapolei’s Hawaii Maoli Honors Three Individuals With ‘Spirit’

State Sen. Mike Gab-bard (far right) attended the fifth annual Ka Mana O ke Kanaka Awards in order to present honorary certificates to (from left) Herb Lee, Adm. Robert Kihune and Paulette Kahalepuna. Photo courtesy of Mike Gabbard’s office.

Kapolei-based nonprofit Hawaii Maoli recently hosted its fifth annual Ka Mana O ke Kanaka Awards, and this year’s winners are Herb Lee, Jr., Pacific American Foundation executive director and community leader; Adm. Robert Kihune, a U.S. Navy retired business leader and former Kamehameha Schools trustee; and Paulette Kahalepuna, a cultural practitioner.

The award is granted to those who exemplify “the spirit of the Hawaiian.”

The ceremony was held Aug. 16 at Ihilani JW Marriott at Ko Olina. In honor of their achievement, state Sen. Mike Gabbard presented each of the award recipients with a honorary certificate from the state Legislature.

Established in 1997 by members of the Asso-ciation of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Hawaii Maoli aims to promote social and economic self-sufficiency for native Hawaiian groups through educational programs, preserving Hawaiian traditions, customs, history and language, and creating economic development opportunities.

It also conducts research and designs projects for the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs.

For more information about the nonprofit Hawaii Maoli organization, visit hawaiimaoli.org.