History of Civic Clubs
Perpetuating the Civic Heritage of our Mōʻī
The Hawaiian Civic Club movement started in 1917 and was founded by Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole. In 1895 he joined Queen Liliʻuokalani in helping to re-establish her government, however this effort ended unsuccessfully. Thus, the Hawaiian Civic Club was formed with the objective of providing scholarship for Native Hawaiian students; preserving and promoting Native Hawaiian heritage, traditions, language, and culture; supporting organizations dedicated to improving the living conditions of the Hawaiian community at large, as well as legislation beneficial to the Hawaiian community; and of perpetuating the values that dignify all human life, which are the moral and ethical foundation of the cultural expressions that comprise a unique, rich, and enduring legacy of the first people of Hawaiʻi nei.
The Waiʻanae Hawaiian Civic Club (WHCC), was later founded on June 15, 1935, by community members who dedicated themselves to the advancement of Native Hawaiians through education and the preservation of native culture. On April 6, 1966, WHCC became a chartered member of the National Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs under the Oahu Council.
For over eight decades and counting, our civic club has been uplifting the Wai‘anae community, adhering to the motto, "Ua mau ke ea o ka ‘āina i ka pono" —The Sovereignty of the Nation is Perpetuated in Righteousness. Our mission is to support education for Native Hawaiians; to understand, know, and practice our culture, and to be kind and supportive of those within our community.
Motto
Ua mau ke ea o ka ‘āina
i ka pono
Colors
Royal Blue + ‘Ilima Orange
Flower
Pua ʻIlima
Projects
Taking Action Today, Tomorrow, and for our Future
Today, our efforts to fulfill our mission involve:
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Sharing our knowledge and skills with the Wai‘anae community by fostering a spirit of friendly relations between members and the public and creating spaces of open kūkā
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Promoting theories and principles of pono governance, leadership, and citizenship
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Taking an active interest in the civic, commercial, social, and moral welfare of our native community
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Preserving ancient historical data, songs, and usage of the Hawaiian language, especially that of the Waiʻanae Coast
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Empowering the next generation of Hawaiian leaders by assisting with and helping to remove barriers to education for students of Hawaiian ancestry
WHCC's community involvement includes stewardship of the Kūʻīllioloa Heiau, (a sacred place of worship and center of learning from ancient masters in the arts of celestial navigation and fishing to name a few), located at Pōkaʻi Bay Beach Park, Waiʻanae. We also steward a voyaging canoe named E Ala, which serves as an educational seafaring vehicle empowering children throughout with the opportunity to experience a hands-on, place-based cultural education as they learn the wayfaring sciences of our kupuna.
Values
Guiding our waʻa in the right direction
Kokua
Service & Help
As a community-service based organization, we aim to give back in all that we do.
Kaiāulu
Community
Our work centers on uplifting community–including community voices, spaces, and wellbeing.
Pilina
Deep Connections
Advancing our peoples means building deep connections and coming together to weave a bond that is unbreakable.