WAIʻANAE MOKU
KŪPUNA COUNCIL

2nd and 4th Thursdays,
at 9:00am,
at Pokaʻi Bay.

Lena Suzuki, Alakaʻi
Waiʻanae Moku Kūpuna Council
lena-wmkc@huikūpuno.org
(808) 280-6915

ORIGINS

Created by a group of kūpuna on the Westside, Waiʻanae Moku Kūpuna Council (WMKC) was born at Pokaʻi Bay in January 2022. Uncle Rocky Naeʻole, also called Aliʻi Sir Rocky Naeʻole, is Aliʻi Nui of the Moku o Kapuaiwa District (Leeward) of the Royal Order of Kamehameha, and a founder of the WMKC, which he presently chairs.  Along with Uncle Rocky, core kūpuna members include Verna Bright, Lynette Cruz, Zeona Nahooikaika, Kimberly Haupu, Sparky Rodrigues, George Paris, Buffalo Keaulana, Eric Enos, and Ed Werner.

ADVISORY RESOURCE

The founders drafted a resolution to present to the state legislature that same year (2022) and, with the support of Senator Maile Shimabukuro and Representative Cedric Gates, the resolution passed with no amendments and with the full support of the legislature. The resolution, which mirrors the organization’s mission, is based on the Aloha Spirit Law, passed by the Hawaii State Legislature in 1986 (see Chapter 5, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes (§ 5-7.5)) 

COMMUNITY RESOURCE

WMKC considers itself a large and active segment of the community with many voices and concerns, some of which cannot be acted upon by other organizations (for example, Neighborhood Boards). Multiple speakers are invited to join the council at regular meetings to share information. In addition, WMKC, along with community partners, sponsors annual events that are meaningful in Hawaiian history.

  • Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea (Hawaii’s Sovereignty Restoration Day)

  • Lā Kuʻokoʻa (Hawaiian Independence Day).

  • WMKC also offers support to students and teachers at all Westside schools,

  • WMKC sponsors candidate forums for Westside elections,

  • WMKC cares for Kuilioloa Heiau twice monthly,

  • WMKC sponsors community forums at Leeward Community College

  • WMKC convenes special meetings to discuss emergency management planning, homelessness, and other topics of broad community interest.

COMMUNITY GOVERNANCE

WMKC unlike Neighborhood Boards, operates under a unique set of rules, one that is community-based and agreed upon, rather than one that is required by either City or State charters.

The rules for community engagement at council meetings are the following:  observe kapu aloha within the circle (speak kindly and with aloha); no alcohol or drug use allowed within the circle; once the meeting convenes, everyone respects the speaker and gives him/her their full attention; and last, no swear words allowed.  While WMKC, which is not a 501(c)(3) organization, is not required to create an agenda or take minutes, the convenor does create and distribute an agenda at every meeting.  Records are kept as notes, rather than minutes that require approval. These notes are available to those who request them. 

The meetings are open to anyone in the community, whether or not they reside on the Westside. Participants are encouraged to bring their concerns to the meetings and to make recommendations about how they would like those concerns addressed.  In other words, WMKC does not function like a Neighborhood Board. Rather, WMKC listens and acts when reasonable solutions are identified and actions are required, as requested by any member of the community.

The organization was created as a safe space for kūpuna to voice concerns and to recommend solutions. If the recommendations are reasonable, the Council will act on them