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WHO WE ARE
‘Aha Wahine Kūhinapapa formed in 2011 in response to numerous inquiries from Hawaiian women (wāhine) seeking knowledge and opportunities for personal and professional development by sharing with and learning from one another. This volunteer committee is a multi-generational hui composed of Hawaiian women across varied sectors of our community. The goal is to support a gathering to share knowledge and discuss issues that promote physical, mental, spiritual, and social well-being through leadership and community involvement.
Committee Members:
Kaʻiulani Odom, Kim Birnie, Mehanaokalā Hind, Ānuenue Punua, Judy Oliveira, Jamee Miller, Napua Casson-Fisher
Malia Nobrega-Olivera
WHAT HAVE WE DONE
The first gathering, Ho‘omālamalama o Nā Wāhine Kapu, was held February 2012 at Windward Community College. It was attended by 300 women, with another 360 turned away due to the capacity of the venue. This brought to attention the strong desire of our women to gather, share and learn. Strands were developed around: (1) Health, (2) Culture, (3) Education, (4) Leadership, and (5) Economics and financial well-being.
Feedback and information gathered from these presentations were used to plan a larger ‘Aha in August of 2012. Held at Leeward Community College, this event was attended by over 600 women. There were two days of programming, with more than 100 workshops, demonstrations and panel presentations. A mural was developed by participants and gifted to the women presenters from the Windward Women’s Correctional Center. An evening theater production entitled Haumia Chronicles featured oli, poetry, song, skits, and personal short stories written by 10 Native Hawaiian women.
Having two large successful gatherings that resulted in several community-based gatherings on several islands, ‘Aha Wahine Kūhinapapa now recognizes that a movement is necessary to grow the mana that can be defined, tracked, and measured to influence policy, programs and services that strengthen wāhine and families.