Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 9, Number 9, 1 Kepakemapa 1992 — ʻAina, haʻaheo, lokahi and OHA [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ʻAina, haʻaheo, lokahi and OHA

Trustee's Views

by Thomas K. Kaulukukui, Sr. Trustee-at-large

Aloha! After almost 12 years as a trustee for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and in this, my final term, I wish to share with you my hopes for the office and the many positive things we have aeeomplished. When I first decided to

run for a seat on the Board of Trustees my campaign theme centered around three circles, an idea inspired in me by the 01ympic Games symbol: 'Aina, the land

As a member of the Board of Trustees, I hoped to be in a better position to get back some of the lands taken during the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Hawai'i's greatest resources are its lands and its people. The proper preservation, use and control of presently held Native Hawaiian lands, and the return of other lands whieh rightfully belong to the Hawaiian people, are important because Hawaiians draw their cultural and eeonomie strength and heritage from their lands.

After almost 12 years of negotiation with the state and with help from our supporters in the Legislature and Congress, I believe we are finally making progress. Ha'aheo, pride The coconut tree represents the

proud and sovereign people we onee were and still are, though the Hawaiian race has been reduced in population, and beset by eeonomie, heallh, and social problems. In the 1991-92 school year we began another scholarship program, working with Kamehameha Schools, who administer OHA funds. We are also embarking on a long overdue Scholarship Endowment Trust that hopefully will be ready before the next school year.

We need a program to reach not only the young man or girl who has a problem with the law, but the family as well. Eaeh person should build spiritual strength to meet life's ehallenges and stresses with confidence and stability. In September 1983, OHA sponsored a conference on crime, in whieh Judge Shunichi Kimura of Hilo was the keynote speaker. He said, "...We should double, triple, quadruple the

number of students in our universities, community colleges and technieal schools and at the graduate levels. We ean translate that into a more positive (self-)image. We must (help) our children realize their potential..." On May 15, 1992, 1 received a letter

from U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye. He wrote: "I am proud of our joint accomplishments in health, education,

vocational and job training, culture and arts preservation, Hawaiian Home Lands and selfdetermination, whieh I hope have raised and will continue to raise, the eollective quality of life for Native Hawaiian people. ... Mueh more must be done. This is my eom-

mitment to you. I pray that in my lifetime I will be able to see the Native Hawaiian people reassume their rightful plaee of honor in Hawai'i — where Native Hawaiian children will be proud of the legacy of their ancestors, and fueled with self-esteem, will excel in education and then in leadership roles. Guided by their own selfdetermination, increased self-worth, and rejuvenated commitment to excellence, there are no limits."

We should be proud. because after years of negotiations, we reached an agreement with the state on the back rent due the Hawaiian people for the use of ceded lands. The amount due should be more than $100 million — the exact amount is still being ealeulated. Lokahi, unity The third circle shows an outrigger eanoe with four paddlers. Canoe paddling, like other team sports, requires not only strength and endurance but a

team effort to win. The word Lokahi means unity. There is a saying, "The difficult we do immediately. The impossible takes a little longer. " Lokahi might take a little longer, but it ean be done. The issue of sovereignty could be the first step toward bringing the many organizations and individuals together.

OHA, the binding force The taro leaf is the symbol for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the binding force of the three circles. Oha means a young taro plant growing frf>m an older root. It also means spreading; as a vine, thriving, to grow lush. To better the conditions of Hawaiians, OHA must continue to spread, as a vine to all segments of the community. OHA, as in aloha, means affection, love, greeting or friendship. It means compassion, mercy, pity, kindness, charity, hail, hello and good-bye. All efforts to bet-

ter conditions of Hawaiians must be done with conviction, aloha and enthusiasm. Kupuna Andrade ffom Waimea, told me that the three circles could also represent the godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I gave Kupuna Andrade's mana'o some thought and decided to add to the three circles. The Father is above the 'Aina, the Son is above Ha'aheo and the Holy Spirit is above Lokahi. The dove also represents peace...there ean be no peaee without Lokahi. The finished drawing was made by a friend and artist, David Parker.

If we believe that all our undertakings are under the watchful eye of providence...we can't miss. Thank you to all who have supported me over these past 12 years. If I have offended any of you in any way, I ask for your forgiveness. Mahalo nui loa, and may the good Lord bless you and your family.