Moku'āina A Wakinekona Hawaiian Civic Club

ʻO ka makua ke koʻo o ka hale.
"The parent is the support that holds the household together."

On this Father's Day, we honor the makua kāne (fathers) and father figures within our ʻohana — those who have carried their families through storms and seasons, whose steadiness has shaped who we are and who we are becoming.

In Hawaiian tradition, the role of a father is not simply one of provision, but of presence. Of teaching. Of passing forward the values, the stories, and the spirit of those who came before.

To every makua kāne, tūtū kāne (grandfather), and man who has stepped into that role of care and guidance — we see you, we honor you, and we are grateful for the foundation you build each day.

If you're looking for something to do, check out the pā'ū riders at the Marysville Strawberry Festival Parade tonight at 5:00pm.

Grand Parade ⋆ Marysville Strawberry Festival Take in the dazzling sights and sounds of the annual Marysville Strawberry Festival Grand Parade starting at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 20, 2026 along State Avenue in downtown Marysville. Watch the colorful flotilla of floats, marching bands, bagpipers, drill teams, horses, pirates and other entries.

Living in the Pacific Northwest, far from the warm breezes of our ancestral sands, it can sometimes feel like a balancing act. We navigate the evergreen forests and misty skies of Washington, carving out a home away from home. Yet, no matter how many miles stretch between us and the ʻāina, the fire of our heritage does not dim. In fact, in this vibrant corner of the world, it burns brighter than ever—especially when we embrace the fullness of who we are.

For Māhū living in the Northwest, we carry a unique and sacred privilege.
In traditional Hawaiian culture, Māhū—those who embody both the masculine and feminine energies—were never cast aside or misunderstood. They were revered as keepers of cultural knowledge, healers, mentors, and bridges between worlds. To be Māhū is to inherit a legacy of balance, wisdom, and deep spiritual responsibility.

Carrying the Torch in the Diaspora
It is easy to feel isolated on Mokuhonu, in the diaspora, but our identity is not bound by geography. Being Māhū in the Pacific Northwest means bringing that traditional spirit of healing, creativity, and leadership to our local communities here. We are the aunts, uncles, mentors, artists, and organizers keeping our culture alive through hula, oli, community gatherings, and mutual support.

We stand at the intersection of a proud cultural past and a resilient present. And it is from this place of strength that we must look toward the future.

Read more in our June Newsletter, found on our website. Mawhcc.org

Let's Speak Hawaiian Together, 8 Week Course

Thursdays, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
June 18, 25
July 2, 9, 16, 30
August 6, 13

This 8-week gathering is designed specifically for our kūpuna (elders) to reclaim, practice, and celebrate ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (the Hawaiian language). For many years, our people were systematically prevented from speaking our native tongue due to historical bans. Today, we gather with pride to speak a language that is legally recognized as an official language of our state.

We will move at a gentle pace, focus heavily on speaking and listening, laugh off mistakes, and honor our ancestors with every word we share.

Email Auntie Allie at [email protected] to enroll and zoom link.

The word papa means a class, foundation, or circle of learning. This workshop is an experiential immersion into the art of making a kāhili paʻa lima. A kāhili is a feather standard representing royalty, and paʻa lima means "held in the hand." Unlike the massive, towering kāhili used in courtly processions, the paʻa lima style is a smaller, intimate scepter traditionally carried by aliʻi (chiefs), especially noblewomen, to signify their presence, lineage, and personal mana (spiritual power). Kāhili pa'a lima honors traditional practices while utilizing accessible modern materials for the contemporary practitioner.

Participants will learn how to prepare feathers, bundle them using traditional geometry, lash them to a central core, and assemble a complete, beautiful piece of living history.

There will be a nominal fee for supplies, please email Auntie Allie at [email protected] to RSVP

AANHPI Heritage Month Celebration Recap

With hearts full of gratitude, members of Moku áina A Wakinekona Hawaiian Civic Club were proud to participate in the annual AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander) Heritage Month celebration held on Saturday, May 22nd at South Puget Sound Community College in Lacey, Washington. Joining a vibrant gathering of cultures — including Chinese, Japanese, Cambodian, Vietnamese, and many more communities.

We hosted an informational table where we welcomed visitors of all backgrounds, sharing information directing them to our website, our scholarship program and “talking story” about our club, upcoming events, and membership. We shared beautiful stickers of Hawaiʻi's endemic birds and plants, generously provided by Papa Ola Lōkāhi, sparking many warm conversations, especially with keiki.

A highlight of the day was our display of Kōnane, the traditional Hawaiian checkerboard game, which drew curious interest — including two high school seniors who stood at the table, learned the rules, and played a full game!

From cultural performances and workshops to diverse foods and vendor booths, the day was a joyful celebration of community, diversity, and the connections that bring us all together.

Picture 1: Club members group picture with Olympia Mayor, Dontae Payne
Picture 2: Participants playing Konane game at info table with Pency Ortega
Picture 3: Auntie Mary and Auntie Ali'i manning the info table

SAVE THE DATE: Our next general membership meeting is Saturday, June 20 at 10:00am. Zoom link in bio and on our website.

In Hawaiian culture, moʻokūʻauhau (genealogy) is far more than a list of names or a static family tree. The word itself holds profound meaning: moʻo (a succession, a story, or a lizard whose spine represents connected segments) and kūʻauhau (to recite lineage).

It represents a living bridge connecting the past, present, and future—anchoring your identity and defining your kuleana (responsibility) to your community and the land.

This 4-week course guides you through researching, structuring, and writing your own moʻokūʻauhau using traditional Hawaiian formats. Whether you have Native Hawaiian ancestry or simply want to format your own family lineage using this profound, place-based framework, this course will help you honor your roots.

June 14, 28 & July 5, 12
4:00pm - 5:00pm

Time Commitment: 2–3 hours per week (class time + independent family research)
Prerequisites: None. Just an open heart, a notebook, and a willingness to speak with family members.
Final Deliverable: A formal, multi-generational Moʻokūʻauhau document formatted in basic Hawaiian standard notation, prepared for oral recitation.

Please email [email protected] for registration information, enrollment, and link for virtual attendance.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5864766637?pwd=8Cc3lpIzDYDqKj8yVJcAbdKyFWcAjo.1&omn=86730976108