Policy Assistant Christina Young shares her reflections of her visit to Washington, DC in July.
This trip with Papa Ola Lōkahi was my first visit to Washington D.C. Our main focus was to honor the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act by Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole when he was in Congress.
On Friday, July 9, the actual 100th anniversary, a series of events included office blessings for Congressmen Kai Kahele and Ed Case, paying our respects to the pohaku at the National Museum of the American Indian, and presenting lei and oli to the Father Damien and King Kamehameha statues in the U.S Capitol. To close that special day, we gathered at the Library of Congress where we able to review different historical documents related to Hawai‘i. The highlight was meeting Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland, the first Native American cabinet member.
In addition to the anniversary events, we attended different Smithsonian National Museums such as the Museum of Natural History, the African American History and Culture, National Archives, the Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the D.C. History Center. My supervisor, Sarah and I also met with the Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO).
This trip was a great experience to connect with my POL colleagues and other Hawaiian organization members, to learn more about U.S and Hawaiian history, as well as explore and learn more about DC.
~ Christina Young
Photo above right: Congressmember Kaiali‘i Kahele flanked by POL staff Archive Assistant Kahikinaokalā Domingo. Policy Assistant Christina Young, Policy Coordinator Sarah Kamakawiwo‘ole and Archive Assistant Saige Leikuluwaimaka Meleiseā.
Photo above left: Christina, Leikuluwaimaka, Ha‘aipo, Kalā, Kim, Sarah & Pualani on the steps of the National Archives. Photo by Ho‘oleia.
