Danny Kaopuiki's

Kama`aina Profile

December 2006

Sissi Horton

Think Camp Fire USA …….makes you think of Camp Fire Mint Candy sales? Meet Sissi Horton, Director of the Camp Fire USA’s Seattle Childcare Program and let her tell you about the various ways in which the money you pay for those Camp Fire USACandies helps so many in an every day, every way manner!

But before we meet the “Director”, please meet Sissi Kealohaipilipaluaiakeaopililani Kamali`i

Clockwise from left: Krista Espiritu, Wendy Antoncich,
Sissi Horton, Sarah Antoncich and Elsie Kai (front/center)

Horton, a single Mom raising two precious children, a dedicated hula dancer, a former outrigger canoe paddler (spent her youth paddling for the renowned Hui LanakilaCanoe Club), a woman with a passion for all things Hawaiian! Sissi is her given birth name. She was born in Queen’s Hospital in Honolulu and grew up in the Hawaii Kai area. She is a graduate of Punahou (class of 1981) and Chapman College in Orange County, California. While she is very proud of her Dad Rudolph Peter Kamali`i of Kula, Maui, it was her mother Kina`u Boyd Kamali`i who was the real celebrity in the Kamali`i household and a Hawaiian rarity in many ways. In a land renowned for its support of the Democratic Party, Kina`u Kamali`i was a Republican who served in the Hawaii State Legislature from 1974 to 1986, was an Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Trustee, was Administrator for the State of Hawaii Health Agency under Governor John Waihee III for eight years and was Hawaii’s campaign manager for President Ronald Reagan. Kina`u Boyd Kamali`i was honored as the “Outstanding Hawaiian of 1985” by the Hawaiian Civic Clubs Association. Sissi says that her Mom dedicated her life to helping other people, especially needy Hawaiians! But more than being a Hawaiian political Icon, Kina`u Boyd Kamali`i was first and foremost a loving, caring Mom to Sissi, her sister Na`unani Kina`u Kamali`i of Oahu and her brother Rudolph Peter Kamali`i who resides on Maui! Sissi’s Hawaiian heritage includes ties to the Duvauchelle Ohana as well as the Boyd family (and she shyly admits that Ho`okena’s Manu Boyd is a relative on her Mom’s side).

Sissi Kamali`i Horton is following in the giant footsteps left by her mother (Kina`u died in 2005) as Sissi’s current lifestyle is centered around helping others! Sissi’s priority, as a single Mom, is towards establishing a wholesome and love filled environment for her thirteen year old daughter Rachel (who attends Einstein Middle School ) and son Travis, a sophomore at Shorewood HS. Professionally, her task as Director of the Camp Fire USA Seattle Child Care Program can take 8-12 hours each weekday. Currently, she supervises the staff of Camp Fire USA Child Care Centers at Olympic View and John Muir Elementary schools in the Seattle area. These programs serve low income parents who would not be able to have full time jobs if these programs did not exist! Sissi has been working for the Camp Fire USA organization for the past ten years and says she is amazed at how much positive impact the Camp Fire USA programs have. Camp Fire USA is a non-sectarian organization formed in 1910. It’s current headquarters is in Kansas City, Missouri. Over 750,000 youth and their parents are involved in Camp Fire USA programs today. Through the years, one of their mottos has been “Today’s Kids….Tomorrow’s Leaders”. Among the nationally renowned programs that Sissi has been involved in are the “Community Family Club” (which provides opportunity for parents/other caring adults to interact positively with children/youth) and the “Little Stars” program which attempts to excite, educate and build confidence in pre-Kindergarten (ages 3-5) children. The Child Care Centers also provide before and after school care for young children of working parents. Sissi is concerned because there never seems to be enough money to expand the services that her programs provide (there is a waiting list of people wanting to join) so she says to all “next time you see Camp Fire USA candies being sold, buy some and know that your donation is truly helping people who really need help”.

As much as Sissi loves her work, she has an equal love for her Hawaiian heritage and no matter how tired she may be, you’ll find her at the Anderson Center in Edmonds, WA every Tuesday and Friday evening doing her amis and kaholos along with her fellow hula dancers of Kumu Cindi Aiona Cook’s Halau! Sissi has also been a member of the Seattle, WA Wakinikona Hawaiian Club for many years. Sissi paddled with the Wakinikona Wa’a (Outrigger Canoe Club) for a while but says she just doesn’t have the time (nor the energy) to paddle now although paddling has always been “her sport”! Sissi invites members of the Seattle area Hawaiian community to contact her if you have an interest in participating in Camp Fire USA programs. She is looking at the possibility of using Camp Fire facilities (like their Resident Camp on Vashon Island ) for future activities for Hawaiian Islander youth in this area.

Being one’s own person and achieving notable accomplishments is doubly difficult when one has to do so in the shadow of a famous/revered parent. Kina`u Boyd Kamali`i was indeed a political force who did much to help her Hawaiian people but Sissi Kamali`iHorton is already proving that she too can impact, in a different but equally positive way, the lives of hundreds of people who really need help!

Mahalo nui loa Sissi Kamali`i Horton for all you’ve done and do for people! You “da Man”!

Until next time, be kind to each other……….me ke Aloha pumehana………Danny

More Kama`aina Profiles:

December 2007 -- Tamari Miyashiro

November 2007 -- Ricky Chang

October 2007 -- The Brothers Kaloku and Keawe

September 2007 -- Alonzo Ohana

August 2007 -- Reggie Lindsey

July 2007 -- Kumu Kula

June 2007 -- Manny Fernandez

May 2007 -- Welcome to Owyhee Country..... the State of Idaho!

April 2007 -- Bernie Ululani Capell