Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 9, Number 10, 1 October 1992 — No Ka Mea O Maka ʻOpio - Through Young Eyes [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

No Ka Mea O Maka ʻOpio - Through Young Eyes

by Abraham Aiona Trustee, Maui An essential part of being an

OHA trustee is staying tuned to the perceptions of our beneficiaries, particularly those of the 'ōpio, the next generation. What we do at OHA is not only for today or tomorrow, it is for seven generations into the future. I've been fortunate to I

have the next generation at my side in the person of my young aide, Donald Aweau, whose family roots are in Ka'a'awa. Donald says he learned Hawaiian values from his father and kumu hula, both of whom nurtured his interest in Hawai'i. With a BA in Hawaiian Studies from the University of Hawai'i, Donald plans to attend law school, to help him "mālama 'āina," take care of the land, and to

help Hawaiians. As my aide, Donald has had the opportunity to see OHA in action,

at the legislature and in the nuts and bolts detail of the Budget, Finance, Policy and Planning Committee I chair. According to Donald, his internship at OHA was instrumental in giving him a perspective on Hawaiian politics. He I has shared admiration

for the weight given to important issues, and eoneem over the eonstraints OHA faces as a semiautonomous state agency. As such, OHA must adhere to the session laws of the state and depends on the state legislature for matching funds for the less than 50 percent Hawaiians. Donald knows that OHA is the only elected body representing Hawaiians and he's aware of the awesome task of the

Board of Trustees. Donald recognizes the importance of OHA's actions for the Hawaiian people and the importance of Hawaiians keeping informed and involved. He says, "OHA's future actions will affect the land, culture, and society as a whole...All Hawaiians will have to consider further actions and involve themselves constantly. They must always keep abreast of current issues and policies emanating from OHA, the state and federal government." His point is well taken and one I made in a previous eolumn (August issue). OHA cannot do it alone. We need the help and informed consent of all our beneficiaries. Donald also had an opportunity to attend the Second Conference/ Workshop on Cultural Values in the Age of Technology, cosponsored by OHA at the Kapalua Pacific Center in May.

Representatives from Samoa, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, T ahiti, T onga, Papua New Guinea, Micronesia, Melanesia and Hawai'i attended. As with all who attended, Donald learned more about the issues that affect all Pacific Islanders: sustainable development, land tenure, preservation of the environment and natural resources, and the role of education.

Donald tells me that the conferenee confirmed the need to preserve our culture, values, traditions, customs and language. The sharing of past experience and mistakes in development helps us understand and guide our future . Seeing through young eyes gives me renewed hope for OHA's future, for the future of the Hawaiian people. Although we may falter occasionally, our eyes are on the same path and see the same future — to preserve and enhanee for seven generations to eome.