ASSOCIATION OF HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUBS
A RESOLUTION
NO. 2020 – 39
CELEBRATING THE 100th BIRTHDAY OF HULA MASTER AND MĀNALEO, PATIENCE ELMAY NAMAKAUAHOAOKAWENA’ULAOKALANIIKIIKIKALANINUI WIGGIN BACON, AND RECOGNIZING HER FOR A LIFETIME OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL AS A HULA AND HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL RESOURCE
WHEREAS, Namaka Bacon, affectionately known as “Auntie Pat” was born on February 10, 1920, in Waimea, Kaua‘i; and
WHEREAS, Auntie Namaka was adopted at eight weeks of age by Henry and Paahana Wiggin and taken to the Pukui-Wiggin household named Laʻialoha on Birch St. in Honolulu, where she was lovingly reared; and
WHEREAS, Auntie Namaka is one of the last known mānaleo, native speakers of the Hawaiian Language; and
WHEREAS, Auntie is an unassuming kupuna who prefers working behind the scenes and out of the spotlight of recognition; and
WHEREAS, one of Auntie Namaka’s greatest contributions was her avid and unwavering work at the Bishop Museum, continuing her mother’s legacy since the age of 19 in 1939; and
WHEREAS, as her kahu hānai, Mary Kawena Pukui forged a strong interest in hula, chants, ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i, and cultural arts since early childhood; and
WHEREAS, Auntie Namaka Bacon’s kumu were Keahi Luahine, Kapua, and Joseph Ilalaole, all recognized as traditional master hula exponents; and
WHEREAS, in February 2004, Auntie Namaka was designated a Living Treasure of Hawai‘i by the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai‘i, and was presented the Order of Ke Ali‘i Pauahi by the Kamehameha Schools in November of the same year; and
WHEREAS, Auntie Namaka was presented the Kalani Ali‘i Award by the Hawaiian Royal Societies in 2007; and
WHEREAS, in 2008, Auntie Namaka was honored as a Lamakū Awardee at the Distinctive Women of Hawaiian History Awards; and
WHEREAS, Auntie Namaka has truly proven her dedication to the Hawaiian culture, language, hula, and chants; and
WHEREAS, at the age of 100, Auntie Namaka continues to be an inspiration for many kumu hula, hula students, and Hawaiian language speakers; and
WHEREAS, Auntie Namaka truly upholds the spirit and dignity of our Hawaiian culture; and
WHEREAS, Auntie Namaka was bestowed life membership in the Kuini Pi‘olani Hawaiian Civic Club in 2008 and is also an Honorary member of the Queen Julia Kapi‘olani Hawaiian Civic Club, making her the eldest member of the Maui Council; and
WHEREAS, Auntie Namaka is also a life member of the ‘Ahahui ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i, Hawaiian Language Professional organization; and
WHEREAS; on July 21, 2012, Auntie Namaka was made a Mamo O Ka Hanohano, Honorary member of the State Association of Hale O Nā Ali‘i O Hawai‘i, by its Regent, Ikū Lani Ho‘āno, Prince Quentin Kūhiō Kawānanakoa – one of only four individuals ever to be bestowed this recognition.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs at its 61st Annual Convention held online, in the malama of Makali‘i and the rising of ‘Olekūkolu, this 22nd day of November 2020, celebrating the 100th birthday of hula master and mānaleo, Patience Elmay Namakauahoaokawena’ulaokalaniikiikikalaninui Wiggin Bacon, and recognizing her for a lifetime of knowledge and skill as a hula, Hawaiian language, and cultural resource; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a certified copy of this resolution be transmitted to Mrs. Patience Bacon (via her daughter – Mrs. Dodie Brown), the Bishop Museum, the Hale O Nā Ali‘i O Hawai‘i, the ‘Ahahui ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i, the ‘Aha Hīpu‘u and the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai‘i, the Hawaiian Historical Society, the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame, the Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts, 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 subject matter committee on Hawaiian Affairs, Chair of the State House subject matter committee on Hawaiian Affairs, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and all County Mayors.
The undersigned herby certifies that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted in the malama of Makaliʻi and the rising of ʻOlekūkolu on the 22nd day of November 2020, at the 61st Annual Convention of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs held online.
Hailama V.K.K. Farden, President
