Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 17, Number 9, 1 Kepakemapa 2000 — Aloha ʻĀina fields candidates Kamahele and Gibson [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Aloha ʻĀina fields candidates Kamahele and Gibson

N RESPONSE to the need for better poliueal representation, and to the possible extinguishment of Hawaiian entitlements, the Aloha :Aina Party was formed. Two individuals will run for the state House of Representahves on this ricket. Here is what they say they stand for. Momi Kamahele, long-hme resident of the Wai'anae Valley Homestead with a strong eommitment to the loeal community is a candidate from the Wai'anaeMākaha area, district 44. As a hula pracririoner, historian, and college instructor, she has spent her life working for the best edueahon for and empowerment of our young people.This is her top priority. Kamahele believes an educahon means more opportunities and higher Uving standards for the entire community. She intends to strengthen exishng elementary and secondary programs in Wai'anae with more resources for teachers in the classroom, including, better pay

and smaller class sizes. She proposes more professional development for teachers, while holding them accountable for results. Kamahele believes in a stronger economy through supporring small businesses with loans,co-ops and an island-wide "eouneil of co-ops." She seeks to reduce crime by stronger support of the Neighborhood Watch Program. With substance abuse now so serious, she encourages more dmg treatment programs and a rehabilitahon center. Kamahele beheves this kind of care facility, rather than incarcerahon, would also put tax dollars to more produchve use. However, the most pressing need on the Wai'anae Coast is an alternate route or bypass road. Wai'anae residents are frustrated by natural disasters, infrastructtire failures and crimes that have blocked Farrington Highway and their abiUty to get home or go to work. Kamahele intends to pursue efforts for an alternate route connechng exishng roads mauka

of the highway. Malia Gibson is a candidate from Maui District 10 whieh includes Makawao, Pukalani, Hali'imaile and the lower portion of Kula. The daughter of Kimo and Lehua Gibson, she has lived all her life in upcountry Maui. A 1993 hon-

ors graduate of Maui High School, Gibson has aB.A. in Hawaiian Studies from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. She graduated this year with an M.A. in poUheal science. Gibson is well known in the University of Hawai'i eommunity as an advocate for positive changes including tuition waivers for all Hawaiians, a moratorium on construcrion at Mauna Kea, greater representation for students in the administration's decision-making process, a change of name for the former "Porteus" Hall and for deraiUng a proposed tuihon increase. Gibson views her candidacy as an opportunity to nurture the land while honoring cultural tradirions and diligently addressing her community's needs. Her vision is for a strong and healthy community where sustainable eeonomie development means satisfachon of basic needs without destroying the land and its resources. She favors eeonomie altematives such as diversified

agriculture and aquaculture. She supports loeal enterprises and businesses. She understands the pressing need for a fair and eomprehensive water conservation plan. Gibson not only seeks a elean elechons process but also supports and encourages more open forams to better understand eandidate positions. In education, Gibson proposes setting aside funds for facilihes, programs, and teachers on every level ffom pre-school to college. Gibson firmly believes the future depends on the care and support we give to the youth of today. Kamahele, Gibson and this new party offer their districts a ehoiee and a vision for the future. Both intend to support the Hawaiian community's efforts toward realization of nationhood in a form chosen by the people. Federal legislarion, now on the table, has placed Native Hawaiian sovereignty on the agenda at the U.S. congressional level. ■

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