Ulu Helekahi wins Coveted Tiny Malaikini Award
In conjunction with Hana's annual Aloha Festival activities, one outstanding individual is singled out as the recipient of the "Tiny Malaikini Mea Kokua Award," a recognition as "that person who has given most selflessly of themselves for the betterment of the Hana Community."
The winner for 1995 is well-known Hana personality Marvis "Ulu" Helekahi, an employee at the Hana Ranch Restaurant. Presented by Mea Kokua Award Chairman Carl Lindquist, (Mea Kokua being the Hawaiian word for "helper"), the honor consists of a cash prize, a koa-frame proclamation, and the addition of the recipient's name to a perpetual trophy which, along with a color portrait of the late Tiny Malaikini, is on permanent display at the Hana Cultural Center.
Active with the Hana Roping Club, and for the past two years serving as the co-chair of Hana's Aloha Festival, Helekahi's is a constant presence in almost every Hana community activity. A lifelong resident, (she is the daughter of Les and Josephine Medeiros), Ulu is married to Ben Helekahi, and has five children and 13 Grandchildren.
Founded in 1992, the Malaikini Award also honors the memory of one of Hana's most beloved citizens, Viewed Paniani "Tiny Malaikini", a man whose life embodied the meaning and spirit of the word aloha! Past winner have included Clyde "Jackie" Kahula, Parley Kanaka'ole, and Martha Poepoe Hohu.