Scouting America Aloha Council: Serving Hawaii and the Pacific Basin
Scouting in the Pacific is managed by a single local entity: Scouting America, Aloha Council. Headquartered in Honolulu, this organization provides leadership and youth development programs not only across the Hawaiian Islands but throughout the vast Pacific Basin.
The Aloha Council's reach is extensive, encompassing Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Marianas, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau. This wide geographic footprint ensures that Scouting values reach diverse communities across the ocean.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Headquarters: Honolulu, Hawaii.
- Service Area: Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Marianas, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau.
- Notable Award: The Hawaiiana Award, focusing on indigenous culture and history.
- Honor Society: Nā Mokupuni O Lawelawe Lodge 567 (Order of the Arrow).
- Recent Branding: The council badge was updated in 2018 to feature a green sea turtle.
Regional Reach and Camping
The Aloha Council operates through significant outreach efforts, particularly via the Pacific Basin District. In 2004, Scouting activities were highlighted by camps held on Oahu, Kauai, Guam, and Hawaii's Big Island, as well as American Samoa. These efforts have expanded to include over 835 Scouts and 240 Cub Scouts attending camps in locations such as Saipan, Kwajalein, Majuro, Yap, Palau, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Rongelap.
The council manages several key camping facilities to support these activities:
- Camp Pupukea
- Camp Maluhia
- Camp Alan Faye (Scheduled to close in 2026)
- Camp Honokaia (Sold in 2026)
The Order of the Arrow
The Order of the Arrow, Scouting's national honor society, is represented in the region by the Nā Mokupuni O Lawelawe Lodge 567. Chartered in 1973, the lodge's name translates to "Islands of Service" in the Hawaiian language. As of 2021, the lodge served 100 Arrowmen.
The lodge was formed through a series of mergers. In 1973, Pupukea Lodge 557 (the original Aloha Council lodge) merged with Kamehameha Lodge 454 (chartered in 1951) and Achsin Lodge 565 (chartered in 1970). Later, in 2019, Maluhia Lodge 554 (chartered in 1962) was also merged into the Aloha Council. The lodge is identified by a pueo (Hawaiian owl) as its totem and a Hawaiian outrigger canoe as its symbol.
The Hawaiiana Award
Established in 1973, the Hawaiiana Award is a specialized honor dedicated to preserving the legends, crafts, and skills of old Hawaii. It is available to both local members and visiting Scouts.
Earning the award requires completing a rigorous set of requirements detailed in a 168-page guidebook. These include:
- Academic & Language: Writing a 750-word essay on pre-European history, reciting the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan in Hawaiian, and learning 25 Hawaiian place names and 25 common terms.
- Nature & Science: Creating a sketchbook of five native birds and collecting representative flora from four specific island zones.
- Cultural Skills: Demonstrating Hawaiian fishing methods, constructing traditional implements, and practicing six methods of Hawaiian cooking.
- Arts & History: Performing two forms of hula with chants, conducting a Hawaiian play, and reporting on visits to two historical sites.
- Knowledge: Reciting facts about five famous Hawaiians from the era before 1779.
Recipients receive a base metal medal with polished highlights, suspended from a red and gold ribbon, depicting a poi pounding stone and a flaming torch. A corresponding 3-inch embroidered patch is also awarded for the Scout shirt.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Council Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Scouting America, Aloha Council |
| Headquarters | Honolulu, United States |
| Territories Served | Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Marianas, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau |
| Website | scoutinghawaii.org |
| Honor Lodge | Nā Mokupuni O Lawelawe Lodge 567 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current name of the Scouting organization in Hawaii?
As of February 2025, the organization is known as Scouting America, Aloha Council.
Which territories does the Aloha Council support?
The council supports Scouting units in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Marianas, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau.
What is the Hawaiiana Award?
The Hawaiiana Award is a cultural honor established in 1973 that requires Scouts to demonstrate knowledge of Hawaiian history, language, nature, and traditional skills.
What is the totem of the Nā Mokupuni O Lawelawe Lodge?
The lodge totem is the pueo, which is a Hawaiian owl.
Which camps are currently associated with the Aloha Council?
The council is associated with Camp Pupukea and Camp Maluhia; however, Camp Alan Faye and Camp Honokaia are both scheduled for closure or sale in 2026.