Boys & Girls Clubs of Hawaii Next time someone you know is frowning - remind them to Minoaka (say mino.'aka). It means "smile and be happy" in Native Hawaiian and is this month's Word of the Month for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hawaii. It is one way the Club incorporates Native Hawaiian culture into the daily lives of its 6,000 members. "The Word of the Month is something that helps our members to live positively. It is an example of the essence of the spirit of Native Hawaiian people which we want to pass on to generations who make Hawaii their home," said David Nakada, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Hawaii. The history and demographics of Hawaii are unique. Native Hawaiians are the largest single population of youth served by the Club but there is also a blend of cultures from local Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Caucasian and Filipino members. "Our island culture revolves around the Native Hawaiian way of life. We have our own dialect - known as "pidgin" - which contains a smattering of Hawaiian, Japanese and Chinese words," David explains. Culture plays out in traditional Boys & Girls Club programs as well. The communities usually drive the specific programs. Local volunteers and mentors show quite an interest in perpetuating local culture. As part of sports, fitness and recreation, Club members are often found surfing and canoe paddling. For the arts, the Clubs may teach Hula dancing, ukulele or slack key guitar. As part of the initial staff to open the first Club in Honolulu in 1975, David is proud of the history of the Club movement in Hawaii. The Club's groundwork had been laid over the previous 15 years and when the Boys Club of Hawaii opened - it welcomed both boys and girls (this was before there was a national effort to incorporate girls in the traditional Boys Clubs). There are three Native Hawaiian communities with Clubs at this time. All the Clubs are located on local school grounds which benefit the members and provide them with a strong framework in their daily lives. "Our kids are so energetic and naturally curious," says Nakada." We help them see they have an opportunity for a great future by showing them how to be decision makers and leaders." This sums up the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hawaii and can also be expressed in another Native Hawaiian Word of the Month - Koho`ia - which means "Embrace Your Destiny!" Want to have your Club featured on www.NAClubs.org? Email us at nanac@naclubs.org and tell us what makes your Club unique!

Members play volleyball at
Annual Sports & Fitness Day

Read more:

Boys & Girls Clubs of Hawaii website

Hawaiian Word of the Month Program

Hawaiian Dictionary (University of Hawaii Press)

Previous Clubs of the Month

Pojoaque Boys & Girls Club
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Boys & Girls Clubs of  Gallup, NM

Kickapoo Boys & Girls Club in Kansas

Pojoaque Boys & Girls Club
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Boys & Girls Clubs of Hawaii

Boys & Girls Club of Aha Macav
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Boys & Girls Club
of South Central Alaska

Penobscot Boys & Girls Club
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Boys & Girls Club of the
Three Affliated Tribes
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