The Ko'olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club has honored longtime community volunteer Art Machado, retired educator Ron Bright, businessman Hank Iida and the family of T. Iida Contracting Ltd. as distinguished kama'äina of Käne'ohe for 2009.

Teri and Clifford Loo of Waihe'e were given the Helen C. Kane 2009 award for service to the Hawaiian civic clubs.

The Ko'olaupoko club also elected Mahealani Cypher as president and Leialoha "Rocky" Kaluhiwa as first vice-president. Other officers are Alice P. Hewett, second vice-president; Leilani Jones-Tollefson, treasurer; Janine Tully, recording secretary and Teri Loo, corresponding secretary.