Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 9, Number 6, 1 Iune 1992 — Chairman's View [ARTICLE]

Chairman's View

(This eolumn is open to all OHA Trustees as a vehicle for them to express their mana'o. Opinions expressed are those of the individual Trustees and do not necessarily represent the official position of the OHA Board of Trustees.)

Editor's note: Because of Ka Wai Ola O OHA deadlines, the following columns were written after the April 29 board meeting and before the boārd meeting held at Keauhou, Kona, May 14. Events at these meetings were widely covered by the mass media. Consequently, most people know that emotions ran high among trustees and beneficiaries over several long-standing issues, including the disposition of the vice chairmanship.

Over five hours of community concerns were heard at Keauhou. In addition to calls for board reorganization, community members expressed eoneem over board disruption and what was perceived as slow response to the immediate needs of the beneficiaries. Mueh of the eoneem centered around the dis-

pute between Trustee Rowena Akana and Chairman Clayton Hee. Both Akana and Hee expressed their views of what was happening prior to the taking of the vote. As covered elsewhere in Ka Wai Ola O OHA, a vote of no confidence in Trustee Akana was taken and Trustee Abraham Aiona was subsequently elected vice chair.

It is important to have this as context as you read the columns. They were written in the middle of controversg and reflect the anguish and turmoil that accompang this kind of issue. No one becomes a trustee for monep, power, prestige or popularity; none eome with the job. It's a position taken because of caring and commitment, and no one checks their

heart at the door when they become a trustee. Consider that all have one eommon goal, but many ideas on how to achieve it. Consider that it takes courage on all sides to continue working together, to triumph over personal differences, impatience, and unlimited obstacles to progress. Consider that strength and renewed purpose ean eome out of conflict, and on/y the strongest metal ean stand ihe test of fire.

As pointed out in Kona, Keauhou stands for a new era, a ehanee for eaeh to rededicate to a better future for the Hawaiian people. Eaeh trustee shares that dedication. The opinions in this month's issue reflect less what is than what is now being overcome.