ASSOCIATION OF HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUBS
A RESOLUTION
No. 2019 -21
FONDLY REMEMBERING BELOVED INSPIRING EDUCATOR DR. VERLIEANN “LEIMOMI” KAPULE MALINA-WRIGHT
WHEREAS, VerlieAnn Malina-Wright was born in Honolulu on October 19, 1942; and
WHEREAS, for nearly 50 years Dr. VerlieAnn Malina-Wright has remained one of Hawai‘i’s leaders and advocates for education and Native Hawaiian learning; and
WHEREAS, VerlieAnn graduated from the Kamehameha School for Girls, the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, and from the University of California Los Angeles (College of Education) with a Doctorate in Education in 1978; and
WHEREAS, in the national forum, Dr. VerlieAnn Malina-Wright was the president of the Pan Pacific Council supporting the United States Department of Education, was a contributing leader of the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium, and was the only Native Hawaiian to serve as the National President of the National Indian Education Association; and
WHEREAS, as an outstanding educator, Dr. VerlieAnn Malina-Wright served Hawai‘i as the Chair of the Native Hawaiian Education Council, established and copyrighted the Modern Office and Distribute Education Learning System (MODELS) Curriculum, and established a statewide Hawaiian culture lecture series for traditional cultural practices as a part of the Kamehameha Schools Continuing Education Program; and
WHEREAS, in 2008, Dr. VerlieAnn Malina-Wright received the National Education Association’s Leo Reano Memorial Award, a human and civil rights award in Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, among Dr. Verlie Ann Malina-Wright’s many engaging leadership roles was past president of Hawai‘i Maoli, and a board member of the World Indigenous Higher Education consortium; and
WHEREAS, Dr. VerlieAnn Malina-Wright has been a huge inspiration for Native Hawaiian aspiring educators who promote Hawaiian language and ‘āina-based learning; and
WHEREAS, as a dedicated member of Prince Kūhiō Hawaiian Civic Club and as a devoted life member of Kuini Pi‘olani Hawaiian Civic Club, Dr. VerlieAnn Malina-Wright contributed greatly through her participation and attendance at functions of both of her clubs; even authoring resolutions for the 2018 convention; and
WHEREAS, on September 4, 2019, at the age of 76, the most beloved Dr. VerlieAnn Malina-Wright transitioned from this life to our ancestors’ realm; and
WHEREAS, with profound sorrow, the Prince Kūhiō and Kuini Pi‘olani Hawaiian Civic Clubs record the passing their dear member.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs at its 60th Annual Convention in Lahaina, Maui, in the malama of Welehu and the rising of Lāʻau Pau, this 16th day of November 2019, remembering the beloved inspiring educator Dr. VerlieAnn “Leimomi” Kapule Malina-Wright; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that certified copies of this resolution be transmitted to David Malina, Jr., the Kamehameha Schools Archives, the Native Hawaiian Education Council, Hawai‘i Maoli, and The Pacific American Foundation, as well as the Governor of the State of Hawai‘i, President of the State Senate, Speaker of the State Representatives, Chair of the State Senate subject matter committee on Hawaiian Affairs, Chair of the State House of Representatives subject matter committee on 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 Welehu and the rising of Lāʻau Pau on the 16th day of November 2019, at the 60th Annual Convention of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs in Lahaina, Maui.
Hailama V. K. K. Farden, President
