By Philip Joseph Kahaunaele Swain with Lisa Kelekolio
Years ago, as our kūpuna voyaged across the moana to the western edge of the continent, some ventured further into the vast Americas settling in the Rocky Mountain area and what is now the state of Colorado.
In 1893, Queen Liliʻuokalani and her retainers crossed the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains on route to Washington, D.C. Others, like George Makalena and John Kulia Mokumaia, were recruited to join the touring Buffalo Bill’s Wild West and Rough Riders Shows in 1899.
Later, Ikuwa Purdy and his pani-olo companions traveled in 1908 to compete in the famed Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. In honor of their winning performances, the mele, Waiomina (Wyoming), was composed by Helen Lindsay Parker.
Today, some 10,000 Kānaka and Pacific Islanders live in Colorado, with at least 15,000 in the Rocky Mountain Region (which includes Colorado, Utah, Montana and Wyoming). Many came for college and stayed. Others came to serve at military bases, for job opportunities, or for affordable housing. Some kūpuna have moved to mālama their moʻopuna who reside here.
Piʻilani Hawaiian Civic Club of Colorado was formed in 1998 by a group of Kānaka Maoli who had migrated from Hawaiʻi. At the time, Piʻilani was the easternmost Hawaiian civic club on the continent. The founders were determined to carry their heritage and culture with them from Hawaiʻi and preserve it for future generations.
In the 28 years since, Piʻilani has advocated for the Hawaiian Community in Colorado and the larger region. Major activities include our annual Hoʻolauleʻa, scholarship fundraising activities, partnering with AAPINH (Asian American Pacific Islander Native Hawaiian) events, and participation in cultural activities.
To this end, we have sponsored workshops on lei-making, ʻukulele, Hawaiian films, ‘ōlelo Hawaiʻi, slack key, hula, lei hulu, lauhala weaving, and more.
Over the years we have learned about our kuleana and kulana from our club founders, leaders, kūpuna and members. Some have passed on, and some still paddle the waʻa with us. We are also grateful to the Hawaiian community here that supports our efforts to exist as Hawaiians in this place even as we support efforts back home to uphold our native rights.
And we are proud of our ʻōpio who have embraced their culture and have gone on to reach for excellence in their educations and careers.
These include a graduate of the UH Mānoa Richardson School of Law now employed at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; an educator at Cherry Creek Schools Colorado pursuing an educational doctorate at the University of Colorado; a graduate of Colorado State serving in the Native American Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps; a graduate of UC Santa Barbara pursuing a masters in sustainable environmental systems; and a Hawaiian fashion and lifestyle designer creating sustainable clothing on Maui.
Philip Joseph Kahaunaele Swain is 1st vice president and Lisa Kelekolio is president of Piʻilani Hawaiian Civic Club of Colorado.
