ASSOCIATION OF HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUBS
A RESOLUTION
No. 2017 – 21
REMEMBERING AND HONORING FLORENCE “FLO” KONG KEE
WHEREAS, Florence “Flo” Kong Kee was born and raised in Hawai‘i, and committed her life to serving the people of Hawai‘i’; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Kong Kee’s professional career and achievements were built on three decades of advocating for and advancing the foundations and principles of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Kong Kee was a founding member of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i’s Hawaiian Affairs Caucus, laid the groundwork for the creation of the Environmental Caucus, served in various leadership roles of the party including Executive Director, and represented Hawai‘i as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Kong Kee worked diligently on numerous political campaigns on all levels of government, organized rallies, partnered with non-profits, and coordinated unity events to promote increased voter turnout and informed decision-making by voters at the polls; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Kong Kee mentored young leaders, including many Native Hawaiians, and encouraged their pursuit of public office and advocacy for important issues; and
WHEREAS, in addition to her numerous contributions to the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Ms. Kong Kee served for a number of years as the Government Relations Specialist for the United Public Works of Hawaii Local 646 AFL-CIO and staunchly supported fairness in employment and protection of benefits for Hawai‘i’s public employees; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Kong Kee was also a member of the Pearl Harbor Hawaiian Civic Club and exemplified the civic engagement of and advocacy by Native Hawaiians that Prince Kūhiō envisioned and described when he founded the Hawaiian Civic Club movement; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Kong Kee often quoted her grandfather’s counsel to “work hard, be fair, love your ‘ohana, and take care of each other” as her guiding principles and her leadership is characterized by her kindness, generosity, tenacity, and hard work.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs at its 58th Annual Convention in Seattle, Washington, in the malama of ʻIkuwā and the rising of Māhealani, this 4th day of November 2017, remembering and honoring Florence “Flo” Kong Kee; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a moment of silence be held in honor of Ms. Kong Kee at this 58th Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs Annual Convention; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a certified copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Kong Kee ‘ohana, the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, as well as the Governor of the State of Hawai‘i, President of the State Senate, Speaker of the State House of Representatives, Chair of the State Senate Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, Chair of the State House Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and all County Mayors.
The undersigned hereby certifies that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted in the malama of ʻIkuwā and the rising of Māhealani on the 4th day of November 2017, at the 58th Annual Convention of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs in Seattle, Washington.
Annelle C. Amaral, President
