HILO, Hawaii – Iopa Maunakea, also known as musician “Bruddah Kuz”, presents his work as founder of the Men of PA’A – Positive Action Alliance – to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees during a recent meeting in Hilo.

The Men of PA’A are well known in Puna. Maunakea says their mission is to “be of service in our community with intent and purpose,” and to “foster partnerships and collaborations with other organizations.” The organization also helps men recover from drug and alcohol abuse.

He posted this on the power point during his lively talk:

This is the personal mo’olelo of Iopa K. Maunakea, founder of the nonprofit organization Kanaka ‘O Puna, an endeavor that was started as a way to understand his own experience and personal journey of change. Since 2000, Iopa and his family, his wife Donie and daughter Kyla, along with their band Bruddah Kuz, would help with community events, school fundraisers and ho’olaule’a, doing whatever it took to help make the event successful. At the same time, Iopa had formed a network of friends through a 12-step program and utilized the principles of the program as a central organizing tool for the community activities. Eventually, it evolved to be more intentional about how we as a group of men in the process of personal change could be more of service to everyone, to strengthen ourselves while creating a community of support around us.

► MORE: OHA in Hilo, September 2016