AoKHCC (Southern California) Founded 1982, fostering the spirit of aloha for more than 35 years ‘Ainahau o Kaleponi Hawaiian Civic Club (AoKHCC) is a volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Founded in 1982, AoKHCC is one of over 60 Hawaiian Civic Clubs in the United States. AoKHCC’s focus is the Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities of Southern California. For the most part, AoKHCC’s meetings and activities are centralized in the Orange County area but many of its supporting members hail from other regions and states. “Being Hawaiian” is not a requirement for membership. Hawaiian-by-birth or Hawaiian-by-heart, we are here to celebrate the Spirit of Aloha, to develop and promote programs that increase appreciation and awareness for Hawaiian cultural traditions, practices, values, and na mea Hawai’i (all things Hawaiian)--music, dance, language, arts and crafts. AoKHCC takes an active interest in education, civic, and social welfare of the Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) community, supporting educational and cultural programs. We are committed to supporting young people in their pursuit of higher education and cultural enrichment and have granted over $300,000 in educational and cultural scholarships. The well being of the community is important to AoKHCC and we promote healthy lifestyles by hosting and participating in numerous health workshops and exercise programs. The glue that binds us together is the commonality we share with regard to traditional core values such as: • ALOHA: caring, compassion, sympathy, love/affection • KOKUA: help, assist, comfort, support • KULEANA: privilege, responsibility Our core values drive us as well as guide our actions and approach to the various projects, programs, and activities we develop and support. AoKCC is a member club of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, and was among the clubs that founded the Mainland Council of Hawaiian Civic Clubs. AoKCC is also a participating club in the Hawaiian Inter-Club Council of Southern California.