"Ne'epapa I Ke O Mau" ("Moving Forward Together") is the theme of the event, which will begin with the silent auction at 5:30 p.m. at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom.

At the dinner to follow, the organization will honor Dwayne "Nakila" Steele, chairman and founder of contracting firm Grace Pacific Corp., who is a Hawaiian speaker and supporter of programs sustaining the language.

Steele's own ties with the community of Ni'ihauans on Kaua'i prompted the donation of several auction items:

• The noho lio, crafted by artisans Kalei Shintani Sr. and Henry Shintani, among the last of the saddle-makers. Its frame is carved of a single 'ohai (monkeypod) piece and covered in hand-tooled leather. Such a construction gives the saddle strength considered necessary by Ni'ihau horsemen, who historically had to ride into the surf and bring shipped goods to shore, according to family members.

• Ni'ihau shell lei and accompanying decorative jewelry.

• A handcrafted pahoa (dagger) from the bill of a marlin, by traditional weaponry master La'akea Suganuma.

• An heirloom pearl-shell point coconut grater.

• A maile- and 'ilima-patterned queen-size Hawaiian quilt and matching pillow shams.

• A feather lei hatband that includes ring-necked pheasant feathers.

• Hand-carved calabash and poi bowls.

• Hard-to-get Ni'ihau salt.