Return of the Holokū Ball

By Debra Chong

NaHHA would like to share a feature from one of our Lamakū Hoʻokipa, our Beacons of Hospitality, who are making a positive impact through the value of mālama and as a contributing member of the Native Hawaiian community.

After a four-year hiatus, the Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu (HCCH) is thrilled to announce the return of the Holokū Ball.

Established in 1928, this signature event has long been a celebrated tradition for its members and community supporters. Its revival not only marks a return to tradition but also reaffirms HCCH’s commitment to advancing the education of Native Hawaiians. We invite everyone to join us in honoring our heritage and supporting the future leaders of our community.

We are excited to bring back the Holokū Ball, a tradition that began in 1928. There have only been two interruptions since its inception: one during World War II and the other due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Founded 106 years ago by Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, HCCH continues to uphold his legacy by promoting higher education among Native Hawaiians. The civic club’s founding principles include elevating and restoring the social and intellectual status of Native Hawaiians, as well as increasing pride in race, heritage and Native Hawaiian identity.

The Holokū Ball is more than just a dinner event; it also plays a vital role as a fundraiser.

Beyond celebrating Hawaiian culture, the Holokū Ball is a cornerstone of HCCH’s mission to provide scholarships to Native Hawaiian students striving for academic excellence. Over the decades, HCCH has disbursed over $1.2 million in scholarships, benefiting more than 1,900 individuals across over 500 institutions of higher education.

Generous support from donors and community partners allows HCCH to sustain its scholarship fund and expand outreach efforts, fulfilling Prince Kūhiō’s vision of stronger, healthier Hawaiian communities. The event offers various sponsorship opportunities, including table sponsorships, which provide organizations with meaningful ways to contribute to future generations of Native Hawaiians.

This year’s Holokū Ball is Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel’s Monarch Ballroom in Honolulu, from 5 to 9 p.m. The event promises an evening of elegance and cultural significance, blending traditional Hawaiian elements with modern celebrations of heritage and culture.

Those interested in supporting this cause, providing a donation, or attending the event may contact the 2024 Holokū Ball co-chairs (Justin K. Vierra and Debbie Chong) at hcchonolulu.membership@gmail.com. We look forward to hosting you!

Debra Chong is active in the Native Hawaiian community a board member of the Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu where she serves as membership chair and co-chair for the 2024 Holokū Ball. She is the vice president of Business Services, Product and Data Management at Island Insurance, Hawaiʻi’s only locally owned property and casualty insurance company started in Hawaiʻi and in operation for 80+ years. Debra is one of handful of Hawaiian wahine executive leaders in the field of insurance and contributes to Prince Kūhiō’s legacy of strong Native Hawaiian representation.