Trustee Lee, in his Ianuali 2021, I don’t have time column, asked, “what’s important: not having time, or making time?”
His concern for maintaining flagship organizations like the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, when engagement is limited from upcoming generations, is a legit concern across many Native Hawaiian organizations.
Focus: Encouragement is critical for many interested and willing to commit but maybe some do not know where to get started – this was once me.
To the reader (Boomer to Gen Z): Do you volunteer for a community organization? If yes, why? If no, why not? What is your passion? How do you contribute to your ʻohana? If you were able to make a larger impact what would that look like?
Social, political, economic, as well as environmental roles and realities within our community are important to acknowledge. In knowing and seeing one another, ʻike aku ʻike mai, we can support each other’s visions and needs.
The pandemic highlights widespread hardship while connecting many in innovative ways. OHA hosting an electronic event to listen to Millennials and Generation Z may provide insight for larger engagement and advocacy of Native Hawaiians. Let’s make time to talk story.
Dr. Katie Kamelamela
Dr. Kamelamela lives in Kapueuhi, Hawaiʻi Island. She is an ethnoecologist, a researcher who studies the relationships between people, the environment and policy. Currently, her commitments are with multiple organizations at island, state, national, and international levels.
