HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	210
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

honoring EARL KAWA A for dedicating his life to preserving Hawaiian language and culture, mentoring future generations, and strengthening communities throughout Hawai i.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, raised in H lawa Valley on Moloka i by parents, Walter and Georgina Kawa a, EARL KAWA A is one of the few remaining m naleo (native speakers of the Hawaiian language) in Hawai i and has devoted his life to preserving and perpetuating Hawai i's unique language, culture, and traditions, including hale and rock wall construction, carving, farming, music, and storytelling, all of which were a part of his upbringing; and

 

     WHEREAS, building upon the foundational teachings and lessons of his parents, who were respected ho oponopono healers, EARL KAWA A also dedicated himself to pursuing higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Hawai i Pacific College in 1974 and Master of Social Work degree in 1982, with specialized training in community organizing; and

 

     WHEREAS, EARL KAWA A's legacy includes service as a member of the Moloka i National Guard as well as assisting homesteaders on Moloka i with economic development; he provided valuable support for the Acoma Indian Reservation in New Mexico under the domestic Peace Corps program, where he helped build baseball fields, organized Little League tournaments, and contributed to initiatives in natural resources, economic development, and early childhood education; and

 

     WHEREAS, during this time, EARL KAWA A met his beloved wife, Patricia, with whom he shared a daughter, Yahna Kaiulani Kawa a, now a kaiapuni teacher who is dedicated to perpetuating Hawaiian language and culture; and

 

     WHEREAS, EARL KAWA A has dedicated eighteen years of service as a cultural specialist with Kamehameha Schools, supporting educators, students, and families, while also collaborating with public school communities across O ahu on   ina and culture-based projects; and

 

     WHEREAS, in 2012, EARL KAWA A introduced the concept of "Board and Stone in Every Home" in a TEDx talk at the University of Hawai i at M noa William S. Richardson School of Law to the public; since then, his lessons have been taught to thousands of individuals in communities throughout the State, including N n kuli, Papak lea, Waim nalo, and Moloka i, through hands-on, multi-session workshops designed to deepen cultural understanding and strengthen family relationships; and

 

     WHEREAS, having provided over a decade of instruction at Keiki O Ka   ina, EARL KAWA A continues to train and mentor the next generation of alaka i across all ages in ho oponopono and other traditional practices, ensuring that these cultural traditions are carried forward to future generations; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawai i, Regular Session of 2026, that this body hereby honors EARL KAWA A for dedicating his life to preserving Hawaiian language and culture, mentoring future generations, and strengthening communities throughout Hawai i, and extends to him its warmest aloha and deepest appreciation for his enduring legacy of service, leadership, and cultural stewardship.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

 

Report Title:

Earl Kawa a