Mahalo to everyone who attended our first-ever Ho`okanaka Awards Ceremony on May 5!  In front of a crowd of more than 200 people, we honored 29 nominees submitted from around Kaua`i, and presented 5 Adult and 5 Youth Awards.  Attendees of the event were also treated to a great buffet dinner and entertainment throughout the evening by Na Hoapapa, Paul Togioka, Tommy & Malia Tokioka, the Halau Ka Lei Mokihana, Puni Patrick, and a rockin' finishing set by Kanihou.  Mahalo to all the entertainers and volunteers who donated their time to help us celebrate!   For more detailed information on the awards process and to see the complete list of winners, please click here.

You can also see more photos in our MidWeek Kaua`i article here.

Again, Mahalo Nui Loa to everyone who helped make this event a success! 

Remember, last year, Mayor Carvalho proclaimed the entire month of May as "Leadership on Kaua`i" month.  Well...  it wasn't just May 2012 - it was EVERY May! 

This year, please help us continue the tradition by celebrating the wonderful leadership we find every day around our island community.

The 2nd Annual Ho`okanaka Award Nomination process is now open.   The deadline to nominate someone is Monday, March 4 by 5pm HST. 

Then...   the Award Ceremony & Dinner will be Saturday, May 4 at the Kaua`i Beach Resort. 

To download and submit a nomination form, and to buy your tickets to this once-a-year gala event, please visit http://thehookanakaawards.blogspot.com/. 

We look forward to your participation! 

Mahalo!

Each and every Leadership Kaua`i class chooses a class motto.  The 2012 Adult Class chose the following phrase:

“Ho`okanaka! E laule`a me ka mālama `ana i Kaua`i!” 
(Be someone! Celebrate caring for Kaua’i!)

It's important to understand that the phrase "Ho`okanaka!" has a larger meaning than merely the simple translation of "Be someone."   It means to be someone in the largest sense possible - to make a difference for the future, for the community, and even for the world.

Each class also splits into 3 smaller groups to develop 3 community service projects.  One of the groups decided that there should be an annual awards ceremony to recognize and honor leaders who do important work throughout Kaua'i.  From this, the idea of an annual leadership awards ceremony was born and the team decided to name the awards after the key phrase from their class motto "Ho'okanaka".   The date of May 5 was picked for the awards ceremony...  one month prior to their Leadership Kaua`i graduation in June.

As the plan developed, we had discussions with Renae Hamilton of the YWCA who has been holding annual awards, also in May, to recognize women leaders, and another idea was born - the team decided to ask the Mayor to proclaim the entire month of May as a special month to recognize "Leaders on Kaua`i".   So, in a special proclamation outside the Mayor's office on Tuesday, January 24, Mayor Carvalho proclaimed May as "Leadership on Kaua`i Month" (see photos).

On May 5, Leadership Kaua'i will kick-off the monthlong celebration of leadership with our Ho'okanaka Awards dinner & ceremony, and the YWCA will conclude the month on May 31 with their women leadership awards & ceremony luncheon.

We look forward to everyone, island-wide helping us celebrate and honor all of our wonderful leaders throughout Kaua`i.

Please read about our Ho'okanaka Awards and nominate someone by the deadline of February 28 by clicking the link in the right-hand column of this page.  Then, sign-up to attend our Awards dinner and ceremony.  The team is planning that it will be a "not-to-be-missed, Academy Awards style" event!   We hope to see you there!

Here's a Video and a couple of photos of the Mayor's proclamation.