Pali View for Aug 26 (Aug 12, 2022)

Kahu Kenny Makuakane

Kenny was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaiʻi. Kahu Makuakāne comes from a long line of Kahu (pastors). His great-great-great grandfather was Rev. Daniel Makuakāne who served as the pastor of ʻOpihikao Congregational Church from 1865 to 1873 and at Kalapana in 1877. He was described as the "kanaka kahu hipa o ke kuahiwi" or "the Shepard of the hills" and was renown for his humility and piety. His great grand uncle, Rev. William Kamau also served ʻOpihikao Church as well as others, and served at Kawaiahaʻo Church 1934 to 1940. His parents are the Reverend John and Reverend Violet Makuakāne--both of whom served ʻOpihikao Congregational Church 1987 to 2010. His uncle, Rev. William Kaina served churches around the islands and served at Kawaiahaʻo Church 1984 to 1997. His cousin, Kahu Curtis Kekuna served at Kawaiahaʻo Church 2004 to 2017.

In 2010, Kahu Makuakāne answered the call to authorized ministry and began working at the Hawaiʻi Conference of the United Church of Christ, first as an Associate for Church Vitality, then as an Associate Conference Minister and the Papa Makua (the head minister) for the Association of Hawaiian Evangelical Churches. On May 5, 2018, Kahu Kenneth Makuakāne was ordained and installed by Kawaiahaʻo Church as its twelfth pastor.

Before his ordination, Kahu Kenneth Makuakāne was (and is) a successful singer, song writer and producer. According to his biography posted by Kamehameha Schools: Kenneth is recognized as a successful innovator in producing and recording Hawaiian music. He has over one hundred albums to his producing credits, working with artists such as Na Leo, Hapa, Amy Hānaiali‘i Gilliom, Raiatea Helm, Obrian Eselu and Jeff Rasmussen.

A prolific songwriter, Kenneth's compositions have been recorded by local artists, as well as international artists. His songs have even been performed many times over at the annual Merrie Monarch Hula Festival. He produced a track on Kenny Loggins 2000 CD release More Songs from Pooh Corner. And his music has been on the soundtrack of major films like "Honeymoon In Las Vegas" and "Parent Trap In Paradise." He has received a total of eighteen (18) Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, the Hawaii equivalent of the Grammy Awards. Makuakane won Song of the Year honors in 2000 for his hit composition, I Miss You, My Hawai‘i. He has been recognized in the National Registry of Who's Who.

Rotary Programs of Scale

Programs of Scale grant-winner "Together for Healthy Families" in Nigeria helps families by focusing on the fundamental needs of women. In June, The Rotary Foundation announced that the program is receiving the Foundation's second $2 million Programs of Scale grant, an award that will build on the program's past success to accomplish even more in the future.

This project is important because women are the drivers of family and development. If a woman dies or is seriously disabled, the entire family is affected. Ultimately, Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria wants to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in the target local government areas by 25 percent. To do so, it aims to improve maternal health and access to family planning services while strengthening health systems at the national, state, and local levels. It also aims to increase the use of maternal care and family planning services by educating community members about their benefits, and to train health care workers to improve skills and track data on maternal and neonatal deaths so that interventions can be tailored to specific needs. The program builds on the comprehensive work that Rotary has done in eradicating polio in Nigeria, which "developed a sense of trust and a sense of scale."