`Ohana Reigns Supreme at Hale `Opio Meeting Last Night

Photo by Pam Woolway

by Pam Woolway

Hawai`i Congresswoman, Tulsi Gabbard, captured the essence of aloha spirit with poignant stories of her first term in office as it relates to the Island’s iconic representation of what `ohana means. Gabbard was the guest speaker at the Hale `Opio Kaua`i Annual Board of Directors Meeting at the Marriott last  night.

Kumu Sabra Kauaka shares a moment of appreciation with Congresswoman Gabbard. Kauka  opened the meeting with a blessing and pule.

Congresswoman Gabbard introduced herself to Congress in January in consummate Hawaiian style: with food. Her mother hand-made and wrapped nearly 900 gifts of her family-famed macadamia nut toffee: 434 gifts, one for each of her colleagues; then another 435 for each of the staff.

Gabbard quoted one congressman saying, ‘I could taste the aloha in every bite.’

Hale `Opio Kaua’i, Inc., is a non-profit organization serving youth and families of Kaua’i since 1975.  Hale `Opio is committed to youth-directed, family centered, culturally sensitive programs that address the physical, emotional, educational, recreational and developmental needs of those in our care, their website states.