Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 12, 1 Kekemapa 1988 — Looking To The Future For OHA [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Looking To The Future For OHA

By Moanikeala Akaka, Trustee, Hawai'i

Mahalo for your support and confidence in my past performance as your Hawai'i Isiand Trustee. I feel that I received a vote of confidence statewide; I have genuinely been trying to further those Hawaiian ideals and issues that are today, and will be

tomorrow, of utmost importance to these islands and our lahui. One positive aspect about having the incumbent Trustees re-elected is that we now know eaeh other better — strong points and limitations — whieh ean help in pulling together as colleagues and Trustees in serving our people. Despite the cloud of distrust that has been thrust upon four Trustees' reputations a few months ago by exChair Keale and the present administration, the Attorney General after a two-month investigation recently concluded that there were no grounds to the allegations against myself, Clarence Ching, Frenchy DeSoto and Rod Burgess. A minor item of $19 in xeroxing done by staff may have been questionably expended. Your Trustees are concerned with appropriate expenditures!

OHA is young and adjusting with responsibilities. Necessary changes have already eome about in board leadership and administration. Our goal is to have a more open, vital, democratic, responsive Office of Hawaiian Affairs. It should be remembered that staff and administration exist to carry out the directives of the Trustees, who are the elected representatives of the people, not undermine them. This is the basis of democracy. It is very important that aloha aina be the guide for land use in these islands, whieh is not to say that we oppose all development. We are very mueh in favor of appropriate development and technology. It is worth repeating that our environment is too fragile and susceptible to irreversible damage. The election showed in the Sandy Beach victory that people do care and want to preserve unique and special areas on overdeveloped Oahu. Congratulations to those who worked so hard to Defend Sandy Beach. The people do have the power! I believe Trustees should have the ability to negotiate, in some instances, as we are now doing with the Governor's team for a ceded land package. This will be taken to you statewide for input before going to the Legislature. I also believe in win-win situations; however, there are also those times when we must "bite the bullet" and fight for what is right. I would like to mahalo those of you who stood fast in your commitment to our ideals in spite of the

obstacles placed to obstruct my re-election. 1 am proud that our grassroots unity was,able to overeome the support of the opposition including union and . congressional endorsements. The people do have the power! Mahalo nui loa also to my aumakua, my ancestor Kalanihelemaiiluna, father of Abner Paki, who was father of Bernice Pauahi Bishop and hanai father of Queen Lili'uokalani, for kokua and guidance, and especially to the Friends of Moanikeala, Katherine Kahaloa, campaign treasurer. OHA must eome forth and provide the strong leadership these times require, otherwise the Hawaiian people will be devoured by the relentless pressures of greed and shortsighted profit. This is a crucial time for the OHA Trustees, staff, and the Hawaiian people. It is my hope that the internal differences will be put behind us so that we may meet the pressing needs of all of our people. We must pull together so that you and your ohana may obtain the entitlements you need and deserve. Sometimes 1 thlnk that certain people in Hawai'i are afraid of democracy because it raises eoneem about justice, freedom, equality, and genuine eeonomie opportunity. The people are a great and growing force. Makahiki is a time to give thanks for the blessings bestowed upon all of us in these islands. OHA is entering a new era of positive, effectual leadership. Mele Kalikimaka, Hauoli Makahiki Hou. Malama pono. Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono.