Tiger said his organization is most proud that it has been able to help many younger American Indians with an urge to connect with their culture, especially those in the military who suddenly find themselves thousands of miles from home.

"We've kind of made Indians out of a lot of Indians that came off of the reservations and came over here with the military," he said, adding that he wants to help others who want to learn about their culture. "We teach them to dance, we teach them to sing, we help them make their regalia."

The 2000 Census counted 14,220 people in Hawai'i who considered themselves at least part American Indian, just less than 1.2 percent of the state's population. An additional 10,156 people listed themselves in categories that lumped American Indians with Eskimos.

For Wendy Schofield Ching, whose Native Winds Gift Gallery & Craft Supply in Kaimuki is a hub for the local Native American Indian community, each of the state's four powwows represents an exciting time.

"The events bring together people who have different points of view," Ching said. "We dance together and pray together for the greater good of the community."

The other three powwows are held in the fall.

An intertribal powwow sponsored by the Native American Foundation is held at the Waimea Ball Park on the Big Island Sept. 24-25.

The other major O'ahu powwow is sponsored by the American Indian Pow Wow Association and is held Oct. 1-2 at Thomas Square. Unlike this weekend's Kapi'olani Park event, the Thomas Square weekend is a competitive affair.

The Kaua'i Pow Wow Council and Circle of Friends and Relatives of First Americans hosts the final event Oct. 8-9 at Kapa'a Beach Park.

For more details or to find out about other events, contact Ching at Native Winds, 734-8018.