The Hui 'O He’e Hau 'O Wakinekona was founded in 1993, by Ry Akana and Rocky Ramento. Two passionate wave riding Hawaiian islanders in Seattle who needed to satisfy the need to surf, secured a gig playing reggae music at a local ski resort. Rocky was an avid skiier, but Ry soon realized that snow surfing down the face of a mountain provided an equal rush to that felt by wave riding ... only colder and a harder landing on wipeouts!
Today, the Hui 'O He’e Hau 'O Wakinekona is an organized group of snow sport enthusiasts who share in the enjoyment of snow sliding (snowboarding, skiing, x-country) on mountain slopes throughout the Evergreen state. The mission of the Hui 'O He’e Hau 'O Wakinekona is three fold;
1. Encourage snow sporting among Pacific Islander adults, teens and kids, and 'at-risk' inner city Pacific islander youth.
2. Be environmental stewards and take positive action to protect the natural resources where we snow sport.
3. Build and strengthen family relations by serving our local, national and world communities.
We hold to our island belief that we are caretakers of the land in which we live, provided to us by Akua (God). As residents of Wakinekona (Washington), we continue to be environmentally conscious and desire to make a difference in our environment through positive action.
We will be active participants in activities and causes that are eco-friendly and that enhance our local and world environment. The Hui 'O He’e Hau 'O Wakinekona will also be actively engaged in improving families bonds and camaraderie through snow sliding, service projects and fundraising events.The name, Hui 'O He’e Hau 'O Wakinekona, is translated as meaning “Group of Snow Sliders of Washington.” Hui, means group or club. He’e, means to slide. Hau, means snow and Wakinekona is the Hawaiian translation for Washington.
The Hui 'O He’e Hau 'O Wakinekona logo has three integral parts. First, the triangle shape is representative of a mountain or 'Mauna', where we intend to snow sport. Second, the up-side down triangles within the mountain are representative of the balance of nature within the mountain. We will be environmental stewards and take action to preserve the balance between man's use of the outdoors, and the environment. Third, the snowboarder or 'Kanaka Hau' (as he will be identified), is fashioned in a stylized Hawaiian petroglyph form, throwing the ‘shaka’ or hang loose sign which signifies goodwill to all.
The colors chosen to represent the Hui 'O He’e Hau 'O Wakinekona, are aligned to reflect what we will be actively engaged in as a group. Green, represents the Evergreen state in which we reside. Green, also depicts the sustainable lifestyle we wish to promote in our commitment to the environment. We use the color black to denote that through darkness, there always comes light. We will be actively engaged in searching for the light in all that we do, in the service we will provide, in hopes of a brighter future for our progeny in generations to come.
Events
The Hui 'O He’e Hau 'O Wakinekona will plan to do (2) two service projects per year, one in the summer and one in the winter. We will do (1) one fundraising event a year.
Service Projetcs
1. Trail improvements, mountain clean-ups, etc.3. Tree planting
4. Food drives
5. Winter coat drives for the homeless
Fundraiser options
1. Concert3. Ski/Snowboard Swap Sale
4. Luau
Members are expected to volunteer and participate on committees for all service projects and fundraising events. Service projects and fundraising events will be planned far enough in advance for members to schedule accordingly.
Membership
The Hui 'O He’e Hau 'O Wakinekona is an open membership to any and all individuals who are aligned with our mission statement. We encourage individuals, families and especially Polynesians to join Hui 'O He’e Hau 'O Wakinekona and experience snow sliding in the Pacific Northwest and be environmental stewards ... E Malama 'Aina!
If you would like to make a financial donation to the Hui 'O He’e Hau 'O Wakinekona, your contribution will be most appreciated and will be used most judiciously in the programs that we run and operate.
Copyright © 2013 Hui 'O He'e Hau 'O Wakinekona, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
