Honolulu, Hawaii.  The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) sponsored a one-day Leadership workshop for all Hawaiian Homestead community associations which Waimanalo Hawaiian Homes Association (WHHA) attended.  The WHHA leadership included, Paul Richards, Apela "Squeaky" Peahi, Roxanne Hanawahine and Ilima Ho-Lastimosa which was held in the Hibiscus Room at the Ala Moana Hotel on Friday, August 20, 2010.

The workshop which was facilitated by members of the PCDC (Papakolea Community Development Corporation) led by Ms. Puni Kekauoha, Executive Director for PCDC and Ms. Adrienne Dillard, PCDC Community Outreach personnel included "learning circles" and a brief overview of the "Kulia I Ka Nu'u" program offered by DHHL.

DHHL Chairman, Kaulana Park along with Lt. Governor Duke Aiona addressed the 175 member audience with their review of the past year (did you know its been a year since former Micah Kane left?) the challenges and opportunities encountered, taken and missed.

The "learning circles" were small to large group discussions which centered on topics such as commercial real estate development, certified kitchen planning, community association startups, organizational assessment workshop, community center, farmers market, community organizing and associations with DCCR's.

Although the difficulty of conducting learning circles within a small room with consistent announcements being made during the session minimized the group discussions, participants enjoyed the opportunity to "network" in a setting like this which last occurred during the Kane administration.

WHHA has taken a proactive approach to capacity building since its long-term strategic plan was adopted in 1998 which resulted in the completion of Ka Ho'oilina na Kuhio Community Center at Ilauhole.  "We certainly look forward to these leadership gathering which allows us (WHHA) to network with other Hawaiian homestead communities and to encourage, advocate and strengthen each other towards self-determination and self-governance" says Paul Richards.

Ilima Ho-Lastimos a WHHA Director and also the Executive Director of God's Country Waimanalo as been on the leading edge of hydroponics and aquaponics in the homestead communities.  With the recent "Food Sovereignty" Conference held June 2010 at Ka Ho'oilina na Kuhio Community Center focusing on youth development she was a valuable source of information to many Hawaiian homesteaders during the leadership conference.

"We are definitely looking forward to the next DHHL Leadership workshop!" says Roxanne Hanawahine and Squeaky Peahi.