Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 1, Number 4, 1 Mei 1984 — OHA Gets Message Across at Counties' Regional Meeting [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA Gets Message Across at Counties' Regional Meeting

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, through the efforts of Chairman Joseph Kealoha and Maui County Councilman Abraham Aiona, was very mueh a part of the recent Western Interstate Region Conference of the National Association of Counties (NACO) May 1-4 at the Kona Surf Hotel. They were instrumental in having Hawaiian reparations placed on the program as a panel discussion for May 2 in the Kohala Room of the convention headquarters. OHA's ceded lands slide show was presented twice during the convention. lt was first shown on the afternoon of May I before the Public Lands Steering Committee and again the next day at the panel discussion. Among those attending the May 2 meeting were several county eouneilpersons. Among them were Merle K. Lai and Helene H. Hale of Hawaii County, and Charles S. Ota of Maui. Addressing the group were Winona Beamer, member of the minority eommittee of the Native Hawaiians Study Commission, and Ann Nathaniel, chair-

man of the Federal-State Task Force on Hawaiian Home Lands. Kealoha fielded several interesting questions, a number of whieh were posed by Hawaii's Lai who declared that "I hope OHA's (reparation) efforts will be successful and that the people understand what you're doing and what you're trying to accomplish." Kealoha had enumerated several areas where OHA has been Ftghting for its beneficiaries, including the suit it filed recently against the State. "I didn't realize OHA was doing so mueh for the Hawaiians until I eame to this panel discussion. Its very interesting and enlightening. I hope your constituents are aware of your efforts," she declared. Mrs. Hale suggested that a Hawaii member be named to the Public Lands Steering Committee whieh will again meet during the NACO national eonference in Seattle in July. Panel moderator was Bud Norris, commissioner of Skagit County in Washington and chairman of the subcommittee on Indian Affairs, Western Interstate Region.

King Kamehameha as he appeared on screen during OHA's presentation ofceded lands slide show before an interested audience.

Winona Beamer, a panelist at the Western Interstate Conference of the National Association of Counties at the Kona Surf Hotel, addresses delegates on Native Hawaiian Claims. Also appearing were Ann Nathaniel, seated in center, who talked on Hawaiian Home I.ands. Moderator Bud Norris is third from left with OHA Chairman Joseph Kealoha at end of table in foreground.