Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 14, Number 9, 1 September 1997 — Remembering OHA 's humble beginnings [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Remembering OHA 's humble beginnings

OHA was created by the 1978 Con-Con with good and honorable intentions. I strongly believe it was designed to fail, so the state could walk away from Hawaiian rights saying, "We tried." Well, we survived! Seventeen years ago, at 'Iolani Palaee I held up my right hand swearing to

protect the tmst and rights of the Hawaiian people. What a feeling as I watched the Hawaiian flag fly full furl over the palaee for the first time in almost 100 years. The bells of Kawaiaha'o Church rang to remind us of our ali'i and our task ahead. When I glanced at the other new trustees, I saw tears of happiness and fear. The OHA candidate must campaign on every island, from Hilo to Hanalei. So my first campaign,was expensive, both monetarily and emotionally. I attended every free forum offered. Walking house to house and introducing myself was a new experience for this simple Hawaiian — but I did it for the ehanee to make a differenee for my people. I spent every weekend on a neighbor island; my campaign chair Miehael Ching walked Kaua'i. Rev. Elinor Wong gave me God's blessings and fellow church members offered prayers. After the palaee investiture, the board met for the first time. We elected Frenchy DeSoto chairman, eonvinced she had the most poliheal expertise. Our first office had no desks, no filing cabinets, just one phone and one staff member — Martin Wilson. Eventually, we acquired one desk that nine trustees shared. īt became the board's meeting table and our luneh table. But we

never complained and it served to remind us of our mission to improve the conditions of Native Hawaiians. Using our own resources, we flew to all islands to meet with the beneficiaries. We split the rent of a van and gave "dollar-dollar" for gas. We had no salary, only per diem. I tried to hold two jobs, but OHA was too demanding. After six months, I resigned from DSSH and devoted full time to OHA. Our community meetings — held in garages, patios or anywhere we could find space — showed us many problems needed to be addressed, like education, housing and the preservation of our culture and health. Some 100 plus years after the overthrow, we are still trying to regain the pride of being Hawaiian. We trustees have helped many with grants and/ or loans. Our kūpuna conferences have given us lessons in the lifestyle of our ancestors and have allowed us to relearn our culture. Our 'ōpio conferences have given us a ehanee to teach what we have learned. The trustees all agree that preserving our language is a must and we have had strong commitments in this area. I am one of the lucky ones whose parents spoke only Hawaiian, so English was my second language. Now, OHA is an agency with over 100 employees, but Hawaiian issues have become a thorn in the side of legislators. To be ready for when the state finally says "no more," we trustees must bury our egos and pull together. We must not rely on the state. We must create a financial base that will carry us into the new century. We need to erase the image everyone holds of the Hawaiian. We are a loving, trusting people, but we are angry. We will prevail and will gain sovereignty. The future of OHA is bright, even if the issues facing it are overwhelming. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your warm wishes , cards, flowers, calls and prayers. I am in daily contact with OHA and will return as soon as my doctor releases me.

k.€Ate Trustee, Kaua'i and Ni'ihau