Monday, July 27, 2009

Hailama V.K.K. Farden Elevated to Iku Nahalani



Mr. Hailama Farden was recently elevated to the position of Iku Nahalani in Hale O Na Ali'i o Hawai'i at its annual convention in Maui, July 24 -26, 2009. He is pictured here outside of the convention hall with Kupuna Maria Artis, a retired president and one of the longest serving members at the convention having known four regents of the benevolent royal society. Hailama was invested with the cape of the Iku Nahalani which he is wearing by the current Regent, Prince Quentin Kawananakoa, to fill the vacancy left after the passing of our beloved Aunty Marge Kealanahele. It seems like Hailama is following in the footsteps of Gladys Ainoa Brandt, the longest serving Iku Nahalani in the organization. Aunty Gladys was a principal at the Kamehameha Schools, a long time educator, and Hailama is currently a vice-principal at the Kamehameha Schools, a former Hawaiian language teacher at his alma mater, and a former president of the 'Ahahui 'Olelo Hawai'i. In his role as Iku Nahalani, he is the highest ranking member of Hale o Na Ali'i o Hawai'i not of the Kawananakoa family and will serve as an advisor to the family and liaison between the Prince and seven halau/lodges/chapters of the society, all of whom are named for members of the Kawananakoa family: Chapter 1-Halau 'o Wahiika'ahu'ula (Honolulu) ; Chapter 2 - Halau 'o Kalakaua (Hilo); Chapter 3 - Halau 'o Kapi'olani (Kaua'i) ; Chapter 4 - Halau 'o Lili'uokalani (Maui) ; Chapter 5 - Halau 'o Kawananakoa (Moloka'i); Chapter 6 - Halau 'o Keli'iahonui (Waimea); and Chapter 7 - Halau 'o Po'omaikelani (Leeward O'ahu). Hailama joined the society at the age of 18 following the footsteps of his kupuna and is a member of Halau 'o Wahiika'ahu'ula as well as Halau 'o Lili'uokalani (Maui). He retired from the position of Iku Ha'i Nui whose main function is to act as the statewide president of the association. Ho'omaika'i! Na ke Akua e ho'oikaika, ho'oulu, ho'onui 'ike ia.

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