Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 18, Number 1, 1 Ianuali 2001 — Aloha mai nō, aloha aku: When love is given, love should be shared [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Aloha mai nō, aloha aku: When love is given, love should be shared

ĪHE NEW elections brought hope that things at OHA will change. A hope centered on the faith that trustees and administration will do what is right for

I Hawauans. Amidst the courtroom I challenges and continued accusations that OHA.is dysfunctional, the trustees-elect remain steady and focused on working for Hawaiians. Many would consider this a sign that good things will eome. Time will tell. One key to re-building OHA's foundation is for tmstees to act as "servants" rather than saviors for the people. Goodness requires a devotion of time and the sacrifice of personal gain for the good of the people. The stories of our kūpuna confirm that trae leaders did well to feed, cloth, nurture, and ultimately care for their people. The names and genealogies of chiefs like 'Umialiloa and Mā'ilikūkahi are remembered for their ability to uplift all aspects of society

to levels of remarkable achievement. In short, their governance sought pono and, for the most part, achieved it. We learned from our chiefly past that a leader's success depends on how well she serves her people, 'āina and Akua. Service is a two-way street. Trastees must recommit to serving their beneficiaries and beneficiaries

are required to hold their elected trastees accountable and maka'ala during the good and bad times. For too long, Hawaiian leaders have

been assuming the role of the benevolent. The eeonomie maneuvers played over ceded lands have caused many to assume that they are the "keepers" of the wealth. We forget that pradence requires meeting the needs of the people through strong, well-ran services and programs. The current style of leadership is deeply rooted in more modern day power pohtics. Those who eontrol the majority and

the resources make the calls. When a leader's motivation is to "save" the people they tend to lose focus and direction. Service becomes replaced with the desire for power. For the families of Kīkala-Keōkea in Kalapana, the Ni'ihau School of Kekaha and the Hawai'i Habitat for Humanity, their experience at OHA has been a very

painful straggle. For whatever the reason, their funding fell victim to poor administrative and trastee planning. Yet, others better connected found

that their support eame easier. The laek of fair play causes serious misgivings in the community, leaving many to feel uncertain of their future. Disappointment is sure to be the outcome to those we fail to serve. OHA must show the courage to finally do what is right and fair for all our people. Supporting a handful I of favored organizations is not I acceptable. If we've learned any- | thing in these last few years, it is that we must focus on serving our people. Acting the savior will cause nothing but harm in the long run. Time for us to eome together and f put our house in order. OHA has learned many valuable lessons. Aligning ourselves with the state has

proven costly. Now more than ever, Hawaiians must be willing to stand independently and focus on our mission, that of serving our people. "'O ka pono ke hana 'ia a iho mai nā lani!" (eonhnue to do good until the heavens eome down to you). ■

The names and genealogies of chiefs like 'Umialiloa and Mā'ilikūkahi are remembered for their ability to uplift all aspects of society to levels of remarkable achievement. In short, their governanee sought pono and, for tne most part, achieved it.

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