Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 9, Number 12, 1 Kekemapa 1992 — Operation ʻohana moves forward [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Operation ʻohana moves forward

Operation 'Ohana has received new energy with the addition of two new staffers. Maria Kaina and Kimberly Kau are spearheading the project, whieh is a nationwide drive to enroll all persons of Hawaiian ancestry. "lt's a project of intemational proportions that seeks to unite all Hawaiians, regardless of blood quantum," Kaina said. Before joining OHA, Kaina was staff genealogist with Alu Like.

"Our goal is to seek increased political and eeonomie recognition for Hawaiians. The main objective of Operation 'Ohana is to provide a means through whieh Hawaiians ean elaim benefits," Kaina said. "We hope to be out in the community in January to further introduce the program and to enroll Hawaiians in Operation 'Ohana," said Kau, who most recently was with Alu Like's kūpuna project in Waimānalo as an outreach worker. Operation 'Ohana builds on traditional Hawaiian cultural values and traditions. It gives all Hawaiians the opportunity to be an integral part of a Hawaiian allianee or family making important decisions regarding the shaping of their future as a people.

Maria Kaina, seated, and Kimberly Kau hope to reintroduce Operation 'Ohana to the community in January.