Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 15, Number 10, 1 October 1998 — ʻ98 candidates in focus [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ʻ98 candidates in focus

The views and opinions expressed in ' 98 candidates infocus are of the individual candidates and do not necessarily reflect those of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. *C\§ J?-*

Aloha! Let me introduce myself. I was born Mervin Sherwood Mauliawa Napeahi to William and Helen Napeahi of Keaukaha, Hilo, Hawai'i. I have always been known as "Kanak" and was raised in Keaukaha and Waimānalo. All my life, I have fought against "the system" and for Hawaiian rights and regaining Hawaiian lands. When I was young, I was one of the first to occupy Sherwood Forest and Bellows and to occupy Sand Island. I am a seven-year member of Nā Koa Pu'ukoholā Heiau and have participated in many traditional Hawaiian ceremonies with many Hawaiian organizations; all for our future generations. For the past 1 5 years and with the blessing of the two aunties instrumental in my life — Aunty Abbie Napeahi and Aunty Eleanor Ahuna — and the

kupunas of Waimea Hawaiian Civic Club, I fought through the Native Hawaiian Legal Corp. for ceded lands at Waikoloa. The Hyatt (now the Hilton Waikoloa) had been built on ceded land. A victory has been won for the Hawaiians. The DLNR was found to be wrong in giving ceded lands to a private developer and 20 percent of the monies owed go to OHA. For more information about this case, see the Hawaiian News mid-June 1998 issue article "Perseverance Wins Legal Battle Over Anehialine Ponds." Mahalo for the editor's note: "Mahalo nui loa to Kanak Napeahi for being a righteous Nākoa in guarding the land of his ancestors and enforcing the laws of : Ua mau ke ea o ka 'āina i ka pono." Being a member of the 01d Kona Trails gang, I share in another victory

against Hilton Head for building a subdivision over the king's trail at the old Kona Airport behind the tennis courts. I am now involved in another ceded lands issue in Kahalu'u where the Keauhou Beach Hotel is located. More work needs to be done to get the ceded lands back in Hawaiian hands. Ceded lands are my primary eoneem and should be OHA's. This is why I am running for OHA. I feel that I have gained experience and knowledge in this area whieh I ean share and that I ean bring some new energy into OHA to fight for our ceded lands. Vote KANAK for OHA at large. If elected, feel free to eome to me with any concems, questions or ideas you may have. Pono e hana like kākou. We need to work together. ■

Why do you want to be an OHA trustee? Because I feel the people of Hawai'i need help in becoming an independent nation again with my services, and from the good Lord. What qualities would you bring to the position? My willingness to work, my moral eharacter, my resolve to right the wrongs done to the people of Hawai'i, my knowledge gained through 73 years of living in Hawai'i, and my eagemess to get independence for our people, with the help of God. What do you consider the most important issues confronting the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and/or the Hawaiian people?

First, when will the United States stop goveming Hawai'i? Second, if and when this happens, will OHA and/or the Hawaiian Nation be able to govem the people that join the new nation? Third, will the good Lord let all these things happen? As an OHA trustee, how would you resolve those concerns? My duty would be to wait until the Lord blesses all of us. If you could only accomplish one goal as an OHA trustee, what would it be? It would probably be the reality of the dreams mentioned heretofore and the signing of a new constitution of the new Nation of Hawai 'i. ■

| Why do you want to be an OHA 1 trustee? To be an OHA tmstee is to be a person 1 who wants to help the Hawaiians in any way she ean. To help the people, the Hawaiians. What qualities would you bring to the position? It depends on what kind of decision we have to make that will benefit the Hawaiians and what any trustee ean do from that position. What do you consider the most important issues confronting the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and/or the Hawaiian people? I don't consider the most important issue confronting the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Every issue is important; there is not just one that is important. The Hawaiian people need to be heard and

respected for their opinion on every issue that comes our way. And trustees should listen to the people and listen to what they have to say before any trustees do anything. As an OHA trustee how wouid you resolve those concerns? To resolve any concems that would benefit any issue for the Hawaiian people, eheek first before any decision is made. And all OHA trustees should work together as one. If you could only accomplish one goal as an OHA trustee, what would it be? The one goal that I would accomplish if I am an OHA trustee is to see what ean be done to benefit the Hawaiians, the people, their hope of what Hawaiians should have! ! ! To the Native Hawaiian, I'll work hard for you. I'll do my best if I'm elected. I'll be honest and sincere.B

-• Kanak Napeahi At-Large

John Sabey At-Large

Raynette Shibata Kailianu At-Large