Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 00, Number 1, 1 June 1982 — EAHA E KA HANA AʻO OHA? [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

EAHA E KA HANA AʻO OHA?

What's going on at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs?

We are a law abiding people. Our daily affairs are governed and protected by laws, ke kanawai. Some believe that in the old days the laws regulated the rights and usage of water from whenee comes the word kanawai. There have been many good laws as well as bad ones. The determination of what is good or bad comes from how we interpret those laws. In the Constitution of the State of Hawaii, there is a portion that details the law concerning the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. What goes on at the Office are determined by what the laws states are the purposes of the Office and the duties of the Trustees. It is from that understanding from whieh the Trustees and the Office work from. Amongst the purposes of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs are: [10-3, 3] Serving as the principle public agency in the State responsible for the performance, development, and coordination of programs and activities relating to native Hawaiians and Hawaiians. [10-3, 4] Assessing the policies and practices of other agencies impacting on . . . and conducting advocacy efforts for native Hawaiians and Hawaiians. Some of the powers of the Board of Trustees are to: [10-5, 7] Provide grants to public or private agencies for pilot projects, demonstrations, or both . . . And [10-5, 8] Make available technical and financial assistance and advisory services to any agency or private organization for native Hawaiians and Hawaiian programs . . . Now, what do those statements mean? The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has interpreted and determined them to mean that the Trustees and the Office must do these followingjobs as put forward by the law: 1. indentify programs, 2. evaluation, 3. assessment of purpose and objectives, 4. survey, 5. "watchdog", 6. provide direct services, 7. provide grants and or loans, 8. provide technical assistance, and 9. coordinate. So, this is the basis the mission of the Office is to fulfill as established by the law. The Office is staffed by more than thirty persons, some are full time and some are on contract basis to help with special programs. There are seven divisions to help the Trustees carry out policies and programs. It is the firm belief of the Trustees and the Administrator that thestaff of the Office of Hawaiians should be developed into a "top-notch" group; always improving itself through experience and continued education. In recent evaluation sessions, it has been determined that the past two years since the Office was established have been devoted to servicing the immediate needs of the community. Here is a partial list of the past efforts of OH A: ili'ili grants program; establishment of the Native Hawaiian Land Trust; various advocacy efforts; helping the Puna Hui Ohana with an eeonomie self-sufficient program; workshops with the HETADI program; technieal assistance through the Business Assistance program; advocacy in the Affirmative Action Program, working with the Department of Transportation and the Department of Land and Natural Resources . . .

Highlight: Milolii Leases The 1926 Mauna Loa eruption and lava flow displaced the South Kona fishing village of Milolii. They and their descendants have now received tenure on the Milolii land to whieh they were resettled. Under the new law, the State Department of Land and Natural Resources will determine eligibility and negotiate long term residential leases with qualified persons. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs was instrumental and active in pushing for the passage of the Milolii legislation. Big Island Trustee, Dr. Malama Solomon said she hopes the legislation will mean a new direction for Hawaii as the community leaders and politicians become more responsible to the needs of the community. She also said the Milolii Community Association is also to be involved in the process of determining the land tenure. In recognition of the work of the Office the Governor was reported to have said that such "work done justifies the existence of OHA." . . . testimony and reports for theNative Hawaiian Study Commission, development of a Cultural Draft Plan, registration of voters, co-sponsoring of a Taro Conferenee, publishing of KA WAIOLA, and introducing legislation and testimony at the House and Senate. Currently the Office is involved in developing a master plan for the next six years, working to help eanoe clubs build sheds and obtain land leases, an inventory of services provided to the Hawaiian community, planning an international conference, developing and working on programs to address alcholism and cancer, planning a "Makahiki" sports celebration . . .

(continued on Page 4)

Highlight Makahiki The Office has now an Ad Hoe Committee on Hawaiian Sports and Games headed by Trustee Thomas Kaulukukui. The Committee made up of many well known sports people are planning to hold a "Hawaiian 01ympic

What's Going On (eonlinueā from Page 3 ) Games" perhaps in the summer of 1983 here in Honolulu. The "Makahiki" will emphasize both Hawaiian anel Western sports, the individual and team competition. The games are based upon enthusiasm, cooperation, mutual eoneem, and one's desire and abilities. It's purposes, besides reviving the traditional Hawaiian sprots, is to encourage the young people to participate and to achieve. . . . seeking lands to develop loeal eeonomie self-suffi-cient programs in agriculture and aquaculture, addressing the problem of "blood quantum", looking towards ways to encourage young people to seek high education, and helping to preserve historic and cultural sites . . .