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International Bulletin - December 1998

The 70th Birthday Celebration of PPSEAWA

Young women from "I" hula halau performed at PPSEAWA's 70th Anniversary luncheon sponsored by PPSEAWA Hawaii

At the conclusion of the seminar "Children, the Family and Health in Honolulu, Hawaii all the participants were delighted to attend the celebration of PPSEAWA's Seventieth Anniversary on August 22 in the Regent Ballroom of the Hawaiian Regent Hotel.

Florence Kelly, President, PPSEAWA Hawaii, presided at the festive luncheon. Both she and Dr. Elizabeth-Louise Girardi, President, PPSEAWA International greeted the many members, friends, representatives of the Hawaiian government and attendees at the seminar who had come from eleven National Associations of PPSEAWA.

The program had the best of everything one could wish for. There were messages from the Honorable Benjamin Cayetano, Governor of Hawaii and the Honorable Jeremy Harris, Mayor of Honolulu. They were represented by two women prominent in the respective government: Lorraine Akiba, Director, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Renee M. Mansho, Member: City and County of Honolulu.

A highlight of the program was a speech by Thanpuying Sumalee Chartikavanij of Thailand, the immediate past President of PPSEAWA International.

Following Thanpuying Sumalee's address, Katherine Yoshimoto, current Treasurer and past Vice President of PPSEAWA International, read an inspiring tribute to Clorinda Low Lucas, a heroine to all members of the Hawaiian Association, who was committed to the aims of the organization from the time of its founding until her death. Clorinda - a name used by everyone who knew and loved her and as unique as the woman who bore it - traced her ancestry to the Kamehameha line and Tahitian royalty. Early on she recognized that it was her duty and ultimately her pleasure to work for the betterment and well being of her countrymen and women and their families. Her credo is best expressed in her own words "I did what I could and had to do it in the best way I knew how."

After four years at Smith College in Mass. she returned to Hawaii where she married Charles W. Lucas and raised their family, all the time doing the good work that was inherent to her. She would undoubtedly be delighted to know that one of her grandchildren Nainoa Thompson is the Non-instrumental Navigator of the Polynesian Voyaging Society Canoe Hokule'a. The vision that Clorinda had is carried on!

Clorinda Lucas was the first PPSEAWA International President (1964-1968) of Polynesian ancestry who brought distinction to Hawaii and served as Hawaii's "ambassador" to PPSEAWA members everywhere. In Hawaii and educational fund in her name not only keeps alive the memory of her leadership, her vision of the future, and tales of her generous hospitality, but also challenges her successors to further the enduring mission of PPSEAWA. Each attendee received a pen bearing her name to remind us all that, to quote Kay Yoshimoto," the writing hand writes and moves on, so let us record that morning, noon and night, PPSEAWA shines forever bright."

Following the speeches the group was entertained by a wonderful group of singers and dancers, "I", which was under the supervision of its kianu, Leimami Maldanado.

Last Modified: November 29, 2002