Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 13, Number 12, 1 Kekemapa 1996 — OHA Administrator reports strides, obstacles [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA Administrator reports strides, obstacles

We are onee again at the beginning of a new chapter in the maturation of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. It's a chapter filled with phenomenal growth and change. The future also offers diversions and pitfalls that could carry us away from the mission, if we lose our focus. We need to be vigilant around several issues: for example, we must be alert to the prospective challenges associated with the next state Constitutional Convention. Such a convention could bode ill for the Hawaiian community if delegates try to revise the state constitution in ways that would erode our hard won accomplishments, such as our rights to receive ceded land revenues

and our access and gathering rights. It may be necessary for Hawaiian groups to join their forces to preserve these entitlements. Within our organization, we are acutely aware of the extensive needs and opportunities in the Hawaiian community and how more of these remain unaddressed as the State continues to block receipt of revenues and reduce its budgetary commitments to Hawaiian programs. Your help will be needed at

every step of the way. Our voices must be heard; "'Onipa'a" must be more than a slogan — it must be a shared rallying cry of our people. There have been many changes within OHA, too. At the board level, three trustees leave a legacy of commitment and extraordinary effort. Trustees Moanike'ala Akaka, Klna'u Kamali'i and Samuel Kealoha's advocacy in service to beneficiaries led to important initiatives whieh we will carry forth with pride. They have eontributed to a broad foundation on whieh the next

Board of Trustees will build. We weleome the three new trustees. The strengths and abilities they bring to the table will help us continue to improve our services to the Hawaiian people and the eom-

munity at large. For the administration. it's been a vear of

building for the organization. We've added new key staff whose talents will further contribute to accomplishing our mission to improve the healīh, social welfare, housing and poliīieal status of Hawaiians. We've brought on a new Chief Financial Officer, Shaun Kelly, whose education and background will facilitate more responsive financial reporting to better support trustee decisionmaking. While we were searching for a CFO, Judy Dang , our chief aeeountant, coordinated and assumed responsibilitv for our Administrative Services

Office. We are grateful for her hard work and dedication. Ernest Kimoīo, our new Planning Offtcer, is providing guidance for the revision of functional plans and is bringing new clarity to our grants and donations program. Noella Kong, formerly with Alu Like, heads up our Health and Human Services Division. Her work history includes overseeing health maintenance plans for a major hospital. Babette Galang, our Health and Human Services Spe-

cialist, ably managed this division during our search for a permanent officer. Over the past year, OHA has forged ahead in many areas. We've just launched the $10 million OHA-Habitat for Humanity project (see story page 1). We're particularly excited about funding half of the new master's degree program in Hawaiian laneuaee

and literature at UHHilo. It's the first of its kind in the country and will result in increased numbers of highly trained Hawaiian language specialists teaching and perpetuating our words. We've also refined

our homestead loan program to make it more accessible, and we're working with Hawaiian Home Lands in an attempt to get more of our people in their own homes. As we face the new year, there are many challenges ahead. We recognize the importance of collaborating with sister agencies and service providers statewide so that together we make a significant difference in the Hawaiian tyWe've had opportunities to meet with highly motivated and caring individuals throughout the state over the last year, who have lent their talents and energies to problem-solve around issues facing our communities. It has been a busy and rewarding time. Mahalo to all of you for helping to better the condition of the Hawaiian community. There are far too many of you to mention here but you have our gratitude and appreciation. Aloha and best wishes to you in the coming year.

We are acutely aware of the vast array of needs in the Hawaiian community . . .

Your voice must be heard; onipa'a must be more that a slogan; it must be a shared rallying cry of our people.

Linda Colbum OHA Administrator