Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 13, Number 12, 1 December 1996 — Observations The day after election [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Observations The day after election

I have always yearned for a Hawaiian democracy that would somehow take the high road in the nobility of purpose and vision for our people. Our ancestors I know want it that way. It took one of those "storms of the century" to wash the baby out with the bath water; but it was done and my twelve years as OHA Trustee are at an end, thanks to one tenth of one percent or 72 votes. Hannah Springer I congratulate, hoping she will address the problems of our po'e and our land stolen away. The immensity of what faces us is very sobering, so are the possibihties. The American political system has naturally evolved into an industry — one that too often overlooks and avoids the exchange of ideas neeessary if a free society is to endure. We are really living in plutocracy (gold) — rule by the wealthy. This is recurrent in human history and is now firmly established in the OHA election and embryonic Hawaiian nation. I am a grass-roots Hawaiian interested in helping improve our people — I did this even before there was an OHA or Alu Like and will continue with or without OHA. I spent roughly 35 cents for eaeh of 15,367 votes I received; how mueh did the Lei of Lōkahi slate spend and where did it eome from? We Hawaiians should not be afraid to look beyond the USA for election models to consider; most European democracies have safeguards against money dictating (to) candidates and they are alarmed that the U.S. continues virtually limitless spending on campaigns. At this writing there is question as to OHA ballots being given to Hawaiians - some had to pursue them, others may never have gotten them - the point being that the integrity of the process is in question and many Hawaiians already doubt its legitimacy. Clearly improvements must be made — we shall see . . . I am proud of those accomplishments OHA has made for improving Hawaiian life, culture, spirit, and revenue base of $270,000,000 -plus. With pride I spearheaded the $10 million Habitat for Humanity Revolving Loan Fund at no interest to Hawaiians of any blood quantum statewide,

RetiringTrustee, Hawai'i passed by OHA BOT - day before elections! Disappointments with OHA too are many — infantihsm in the form of squabbles and pettiness have been the cardinal sin. There are lots of loeal and international corporate millionaires who would like to control our land and destiny into the next century. To many of them it would be perfectly fine if Hawaiians had no special status whatsoever. OHA must maintain a momentum fixing problems for our people. It has been suggested that there be "trouble hooters" who involve themselves in presenting recommendations to cure specific problems be they laek of recreation facilities and programs for youth, water rights, land abuse, environmental woes or educational needs. The greatest boogey man that besets us is a growing vacant - brained bureaucracy with a disdainful attitude to the po'e. This is the problem of 21 st century governments everywhere and we Hawaiians and OHA are not immune to the disease. Most of all we must pull together as a people and with all peoples of goodwill unite in solving our islands' problems and establishing a society proud of its living tradition of aloha 'āina. We will be challenged to defend our rights to be Hawaiians as we choose in our islands. This is sure to play out the next legislative session and State Con-Con summer of 1998; and if we don't have a strong and vigorous offensive ready our children will surely weep for what could have been, and should have been! I hope to be there! Mahalo for your support and kōkua these past 12 years! Me ke aloha pumehana. Mālama pono. Ua mau ke eaoka 'āina i ka pono.

IC€kaLA AkakA