Robin Puanani Danner says she’s witnessed 10 years of positive changes in the local community brought about by the annual Native Hawaiian Convention.
"The biggest and most striking changes … is the increase of young Hawaiians working directly in community development fields, seeking and exploring opportunities, beyond just the discussion of the politics of our issues, but actually working in the issue," said Danner, one of the coordinators of the gathering.
As the convention approaches its decade milestone, more than 500 people already are registered to attend, with "registrations coming in fast and furiously every day," she said.
"Closing in on 1,000 is something we know is built on the last 10 years of Hawaiian organizations working together," said Danner, president of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, which will host the three-day convention beginning Aug. 23 at the Hawai’i Convention Center.
The gathering will feature workshops on cultural preservation, education, housing, economic development and self-determination. The event, at a cost of $200,000, is funded primarily by the council, a nonprofit organization that receives federal, state, county and private-sector grants.
Scheduled speakers include Gov. Neil Abercrombie and U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye.
"It’s a pretty big accomplishment that it’s reached 10 years, but the convention has always been very well-received," said Donalyn Dela Cruz, Abercrombie’s spokeswoman.
This year’s gathering, with the theme "Community Leaders & Solutions — Where Success Happens," will focus on setting a policy agenda for next year and discussing current events that affect the Hawaiian community.
"Our community is extremely optimistic, extremely focused, and looking inward, for what we can do for our people, for Hawaii," Danner said. "That really sums up this annual gathering — what can Hawaiians do together."
Topping the agenda this year is Senate Bill 1520, which recognizes Native Hawaiians as "the only indigenous, aboriginal, maoli population" of the islands and requires the governor to establish a five-member Native Hawaiian roll commission "for administrative purposes to prepare and maintain a roll of qualified Native Hawaiians."
"I think the public gets fed a view of Hawaiian sovereignty as just ‘about debate, or demands about the past injustices,’" Danner said. "Sovereignty for Hawaiians is all about Hawaiians having the responsibility and taking action to do something about the condition of our community."
The convention is free for students, kupuna and nonprofit employees who don’t want lunch. Lunch for the three days is an extra $100. Individuals, and representatives from business and government will be charged $375, lunch included.
Danner called the event "one of the best places during the year to get a strong pulse of what is happening in the Hawaiian community, what our diverse leadership is thinking or working on."
