Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 10, Number 11, 1 Nowemapa 1993 — Moving on [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Moving on

by Abraham Aiona Vice-chairman, Board of Trustees Trustee, Maui

Since OHA s portfoho increased

substantially this year from the infusion of $129 million in ceded lands entitlement money, we have become a major player in the investment eommunity. As I recall, we now have a $150 million portfolio, way up there with

the larger organizations, unions, and others. Had it not been for the leadership, integrity and business aeumen of the board

and the staff, the bottom line figure of the settlement would have been about $95 million and not the $129 million we received from the state this year.

As we proceed to do our work

in the many areas of need of our people, we are constantly criticized by one of our trustees, namely Trustee Rowena Akana, for not having a plan to her liking. She criticizes the other eight

trustees for our failure to provide "a cohesive spending plan" (her words). I cannot recall Trustee Akana coming forward

with any meaningful initiatives at any of our committee meetings for the benefit of our people. Her method of operation is to criticize, to make allegations without any facts and/or evidence, and even to twist statements to make her look like the savior she believes she is. I was hoping that she would change her ways and work with us in the spirit of cooperation and not continue to criticize, harangue and even misrepresent what has happened in the past without offering solutions. Anyone ean be a "Monday morning quarterback." However, if it is done with maliee and evil to destroy an organization and its people, then it is like cancer and should be surgi-

cally removed. Otherwise it will fester like an infected boil. This board was responsible for many good things that have been initiated for the good of our Hawaiian people: • OHA has established separate money management functions by spreading out its investment portfolio among several professional money manager firms; • OHA has established a $3 million appropriation for our Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund to match a $3 million federal appropriation;

• OHA has established a $10 million Education Foundation to provide scholarships for young Hawaiians; • OHA has established a process for reviewing and funding

requests for grants, donations and purchase of services; • OHA has established two $10 million revolving loan funds for native Hawaiians on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for down payments and rehabilitation loans. These are but a few, though notable, initiatives and we are still working and planning to realize other meaningful programs and projects. Notwithstanding the wishes of Trustee Akana, we will continue to perform as required by our mandate. The health and welfare of our people is of paramount importance. Mahalo nui loa.