Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 17, Number 12, 1 December 2000 — A trilogy of thoughts [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A trilogy of thoughts

"An individual alone is unthinkable" ... in the Hawaiian eommunity, according to kupuna Mary Kawena Pūku'i. That statement is ■ validated for all of us through 'ohana and community sharing and support. In addition, it is validated for me and fellow trustees-elect by the votes cast on Nov. 7, and the many calls, letters and email we received. Mahalo nui loa to all who expressed their choices for OHA candidates and, thereby, declared their interest in our significant future deliberations. Mahalo nui

loa, especially, to those whose votes support my efforts to represent you well in OHA decision-making. Let me assure

you of my commitment to serve all benefīciaries with integrity, openness, objectivity, dedication, sensitivity and aloha. We should extend a mahalo nui loa to the interim trustees who discussed and decided on OHA issues within a compressed timeframe. Whether some of us agreed with some of their decisions and

actions or not, the interim trustees deserve the appreciation of all OHA beneficiaries for stepping into a difficult and

uncomfortable political transition for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, prior to the recent eleetion. Thank you. II. In addressing the needs of the Hawaiian and Hawai'i community, the trustees-elect are faced with challenging decisions. Specifically: • A state legislative session whieh will impact upon: the OHA hiennial budget; overdue payments to OHA; attempts to dismantle OHA or to siphon off or redirect nnrtions nf the

OHA investment portfoho; OHA-initiat-ed bills and resolutions whieh may be adverse to native Hawaiian interests;

• Preparation for muhiple scenarios in implementation of S2899 "Akaka Bill" at the national and community level; • Preparation for current and impending legal challenges to Native Hawaiian entitlements, OHA and other Native Hawaiian trusts; • Adoption of an OHA Master Plan and a Comprehensive Native Hawaiian Master Plan; • Reorganization of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs consistent with the OHA Master Plan; • Clarification of OHA's mission in relation to its new voting constituency. III. In this season of the makahiki when we give thanks for the blessings of the year and give generously from our bounty, to assist those in need, may I add my best wishes to all for a blessed, bountiftil, and beautiful holiday season and exciting and fulfilling New Year. ■

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TRUSTEE MESSAGES

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