Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 14, Number 5, 1 Mei 1997 — Nomination of Trustee Haunani Apoliona for Chair [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Nomination of Trustee Haunani Apoliona for Chair

Welina me ke aloha kākou. My formal initiation into the Office of Hawaiian Affairs on April 8, 1997 began with the nomination of Trustee Haunani , Apohona for Chair 1 of the Board of

Trustees. As an introduction to the nā po'e of Hawai'i nei, I would like to express the views the electorates of Nā Lei Lōkahi have embraced and share my opening speech with you from this momentous day. i No ka pono o ko kākou lāhui maoli a e ola ka i Hawai'i kū'oko'a mana piha! Our Nā Lei Lōkahi team ran for office on a platform of respect, responsibility and cooperation. We eome to this board with great respect for the aeeomplishments of all our predecessors who have served during the 16-year history of OHA. We know that you have taken your responsibilities seriously and worked hard to do your best for Hawaiians, in the face of many obstacles. OHA has achieved many impressive goals in the past decade and a half, and we humbly thank the trustees for all their labors. Because we are committed to the spirit of lōkahi, ; it is our sincere hope that despite our many human 1 differences, we will be able to forge a strong team

with all of you so that we ean work together on the many difficult challenges that will face Hawaiians in the next four years into the 21 st century. Our people need us to be focused, strong, and unified leaders so that we ean battle the real threats to our culture, our language, our values, and our precious 'āina. With all due respect to the achievements of Chairman Hee, we believe that it is time for a change in OHA's leadership. We do not make this decision lightly; nor is it a step to set trustees apart from eaeh other. The leader of our Nā Lei Lōkahi slate is a

woman of great accompIishment and great humanity, and we believe that she has the skills and the vision to guide OHA to even greater successes. Haunani has resigned her position as President/ CEO of Alu Like to hold this office and responsibihty. For six years, she was in charge of a $10.5 million budget, and a staff of 150 people. She has worked with Alu Like since 1978, startine: in the field office

and finishing these last six years as President/CEO of this multi-million dollar, statewide, non-profit corporation providing service to native Hawaiian and Hawai'i for 22 years. She has a proven track record of fiscal and personnel management skills that are essential to the OHA Board. Haunani is a hard worker. She is a team player who is committed to building consensus among her colleagues, and who does not personalize her differ-

ences with others. She is strongly supportive of hne staffers. She has an impeccable reputation for openness, honesty and trustworthiness. Haunani also brings a distinguished record of community service to OHA. In addition to her years of kokua to various charitable Hawaiian organizations, she has served on boards of public interest organizations like the Nature Conservancy, the 'Ōlelo Corporation, Bank of Hawai'i, the Honolulu Hawaiian Civic Club, and the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund. These experiences have given her the skills to work effectively with other leaders in board

settings. We believe that Haunani Apoliona wih be a fair, honest and open Ieader who wih respect the abilities of every member of this Board, and who wih ensure that every one of us has a voice in OHA's decisions. We may have differences along the way, but differences are healthy when they help us reach better decisions and leave people with their dienity as human beines.

As Hawaiians, we still face formidable threats to our very survival. We aU know the statistics: high rates of disease, poverty, homelessness and crime afflict our people. OHA ean be a shining Ught in this darkness, but only if we make a true commitment to work together for the betterment of the Hawaiians who elected all of us. To lead us in this endeavor, I nominate Haunani ApoUona for the position of Chair."

As Hawaiians, ' we still face formidable threats to our very survival.

Colette MacAa4o Trustee, Moloka'i & Lāna