The History of Wakinikona {the Hawaiian word for "Washington"} dates back to the 1963 when the club was founded by Larry Kamahele and Joe Keliikoa.  Originally, the members of the club were Hawaiians emigrated to the Seattle area through work (many worked on ships as seamen) or military service.  The Wakinikona Club obtained it's corporation license in June of 1963 from the State of Washington as a non-profit corporation for the promotion and perpetuation of Hawaiian culture.

 

From that time on, the club has been active in the Seattle Hawaiian Community through various club sponsored events, festivals and educational instruction.

 

Our monthly meetings occur on the 3rd Saturday of each month; excluding February, July and September, when we have other activities planned such as our Hawaiian Festival in July and our administrative breaks in February and September.

 

Although we are a Hawaiian Club, we are not all of Hawaiian descent.  Many of our members have lived in Hawaii at one time or another in their lives or simply share a common interest in Hawaiian culture and the activities of the club.

 

For more information on becoming an Active (voting) or Associate (non-voting) member, please contact our Membership Chairman and Club Historian, Larry Kamahele:

 

Wakinikona Hawaiian Club
ATTN: Larry Kamahele
8701 Madrona Lane
Edmonds, WA 98026

 

HUI WA'A O WAKINIKONA

Wakinikona is also active in the Pacific Northwest Hawaiian Paddling Community, our Wa'a, with the addition of the Seattle Hui Wa'a O Wakinikona Outrigger Canoe Team.  Our team consists of various age groups, male and female and participates in and sponsors many of the region's great canoe races. 

 

Our most notable sponsored event is the Green Lake Regatta, which is held every year in May at Green Lake, just north of Seattle.

For more information on the team or becoming a member, contact Stan Dahlin.