[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 46 (Thursday, March 15, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E321]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





            HONORING THE MEMORY OF KAHU MELVIN KAUILA CLARK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. COLLEEN HANABUSA

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 15, 2018

  Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary 
man, Melvin Kauila Clark, who passed away on Sunday, December 24, 2017. 
A talented artist, Native Hawaiian traditional healer, celebrated 
leader of the community health center movement, and a personal friend 
of mine, Kauila will be deeply missed by the many people whose lives he 
has touched.
   Kauila grew up in Wahiawa on the island of Oahu and graduated from 
Leilehua High School in 1963. Kauila went on to earn a bachelor's 
degree in drawing and painting from Graceland University and a master's 
degree in clay and sculpture from the University of Puget Sound. He 
became an internationally acclaimed artist and potter, with his works 
exhibited in 53 countries and museums, including in the Smithsonian 
here in Washington. I always admired Kauila's pottery because they 
reflected who he was so well. His pieces were big but also delicate, 
reflecting both the strength of his character and the gentle kindness 
of his heart. Kauila's willingness to share and donate his pieces to 
raise money for the communities around him demonstrated his wonderful 
generosity of spirit.
   In Hawaii, Kauila will be fondly remembered as a Native Hawaiian 
traditional healer who shared his wisdom with all who sought it. He 
rightfully believed that the diverse communities of the United States 
could learn much from traditional indigenous knowledge of balance and 
harmony. Unsurprisingly, even though Kauila was a kahuna, a ``keeper of 
secrets,'' one of the select few certified to hold that title, he 
preferred to be called kahu, or ``priest.''
   A passionate advocate of the community health center movement, 
Kauila has dedicated much of his life towards ensuring that Americans 
of all backgrounds across the country receive culturally competent, 
patient-centered health care. Kauila and I got to know each other over 
the course of his work on healthcare with the Waianae community, since 
Kauila and I were both part of the hanai family of Auntie Agnes 
``Aggie'' Kalaniho'okaha Cope, who first founded the Waianae Coast 
Comprehensive Health Care Center. Kauila continued Auntie Aggie's work 
by serving as board director of the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health 
Center for twenty-seven years.
   Kauila dedicated much of the past nineteen years to the National 
Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). Over the course of his 
distinguished service, he served on the Consumer/Board Member, Finance, 
Farmworker Health, Membership, Health Center Governance, Nominating, 
and Screening Committees at various points in time. Between 2005 and 
2008, Kauila was treasurer for NACHC. Kauila became chair-elect of 
NACHC in 2009, board chair in 2011, and immediate past chair in 2015, 
the first Native Hawaiian to hold those positions in NACHC.
   In everything he did, Kauila thought about his sons, whom he loved 
deeply. We used to talk about his sons and how they were growing up. I 
especially remember one conversation in which we chatted about how 
Tiger Woods's success was influencing Kauila's sons towards golf and 
away from football. Kauila was the grounding for his family, and it was 
always apparent to me that his kids came first in his heart and in 
everything he did.
   Much can be said of the art, wisdom, and leadership that Kauila 
shared with the world. He will be fondly remembered and deeply missed 
by the people whom he encouraged, counseled, inspired, and healed. With 
cherished memories of Kauila in our hearts, we will continue his life's 
work for a better, kinder world.

                          ____________________