Ho‘omaika‘i to Esther Kia‘aina

WHEREAS, The Royal Order of Kamehameha I, established by His Majesty King Kamehameha V on April 11, 1865 in honor of his grandfather, King Kamehameha the Great, holds an unbroken legacy of perpetuating the cultural traditions, sacred rituals and practices of the Kingdom of Hawai‘i and House of Kamehameha is recognized as the oldest of the four Royal Hawaiian Benevolent Societies; and,

WHEREAS, The Royal Order of Kamehameha I currently under the elected leadership of Ali‘i Nui Sir William F. Roback, Jr., K.G.C.K. does hereby offer this Citation of Congratulations to Ms. Esther Puakela Kia‘āina for her achievements as a Native Hawaiian; and,

WHEREAS, Esther Puakela Kia‘āina, born July 16, 1963, to loving parents Melvin Leialoha and Lorelei Haunani Kia‘āina; raised with educational opportunities at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, graduating with the esteemed Class of 1981; received her Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and Political Science from the University of Southern California, and subsequently received a Juris Doctor degree from George Washington University, and a Master of Arts degree from Johns Hopkins University’s Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies; and,

WHEREAS, Esther Kia‘āina enjoyed an early career in government service as an intern under Senator Daniel K. Inouye, and subsequently under Senator Daniel K. Akaka; and as Chief of Staff for Congressman Robert Underwood of Guam; and Congressman Ed Case of Hawai’i; and,

WHEREAS, Ms. Kia‘āina’s career of service continued in the State of Hawai‘i as Land Asset Manager for Kamehameha Schools and as Chief Advocate for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; and in October 2012 was appointed by Governor Neil Abercrombie to the position of First Deputy of Hawai‘i’s State Department of Land and Natural Resources; and,

WHEREAS, in September 2013, U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama nominated Ms. Kia‘āina to the U.S. Department of the Interior as Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas; and when confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Ms. Kia’aina, on behalf of the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, will lead efforts to coordinate federal policy for Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa; as well as responsibility to administer and oversee Federal assistance to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau; therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, The Royal Order of Kamehameha I, based on its Principle of recognizing individuals for their significant and worthy contribution to Hawai‘i and its People, does hereby extend its heartfelt and sincere Congratulations to this Native Hawaiian Woman of Distinction, Esther Puakela Kia‘āina; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that on behalf of Ali‘i Nui Sir William F. Roback, Jr. K.G.C.K., the High Chiefs, Chiefs, and membership, The Royal Order of Kamehameha I wishes Esther Puakela Kia‘āina a successful career as an advocate to provide the very best of service to those Nations and People who enjoy such benefits bestowed upon them on behalf of the United States of America; and,

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this Citation of Congratulations be presented to Esther Puakela Kia‘āina on the Twenty-Seventh Day of Kekemapa, 2013 at Ceremonies held at Hānaiakamalama, Queen Emma’s Summer Palace, Nu‘uanu, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i.

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Ali‘i ‘Aimoku Sir Arthur Ka‘uhane Aiu, K.G.C.K.
Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Hawai‘i Chapter 1

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Kākā ‘Ōlelo Ali‘i Sir Charles Kūkahimaikalani Tilton, K.C.
Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Hawai‘i Chapter 1