Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 18, Number 4, 1 ʻApelila 2001 — Our responsibility: listen, lead by example [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Our responsibility: listen, lead by example

Aloha mai kakou e nā 'oiwi Hawai'i. This fifth KWO article in a series of 48 highlights OHA's post-/?('ce overall strategy. On Feb. 21, by a vote of 80, Trustees Apoliona, Cataluna, Akana, Dela Cruz, Machado, Ota, Stender and Waihe'e adopted a posl- Rice strategic framework for action. A daily newspaper characterized the Board action as principally an expensive PR campaign. They missed the point. Use of media or public relations is a tool to be used in the education prong of the strategy for action. We do agree that we have taken a first step together, in a "momentous decision." The newspaper agrees that "OHA certainly has the duty to protect the interests of Hawaiians in the face of mounting legal challenges." As a result of judicial decisions, federal recognition of Hawaiians is critical. On a parallel course, we need to ensure that programs and institutions continue to serve the needs of all Hawaiians. This will require us to promote, deliver and defend Hawaiians within our insti-

tutions, the state Legislature, the United States Congress, and the courts. This strategy is not about OHA. It is about our people. Overall objectives of the strategy are to protect Hawaiian rights and programs and protect Hawaiian assets." Ultimately, the threepronged strategy of education, legislation and litigation, must work towards rebuilding broad-based support for a Hawaiian agenda. The education prong of the strategic framework will eompel action using facts to develop messages, to inform (by people-to-people contacts and tools of media and technology), to engage, motivate and organize 'ohana, communities, organizations, partners, allies, opinion makers, policy makers, decision makers - Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian - at home and outside Hawai'i, to eontribute and participate. The legislative prong of the strategic framework will advocate for state-support of federal solutions, advocate federal solutions and advocate federal flexibility for state solutions; and protect rights, assets, work to keep

existing Hawaiian programs alive and thriving with support from elected and appointed policy makers and staff locally and federally. The litigation prong of the strategic framework will act to protect existing programs, protect rights and protect assets among its tasks. By the February action, Trustees concur on a working definition of OHA's role to provide autonomous leadership; as a transition agency in preparation for federal recognition and poliūeal self-determination; facilitate, support and advocate for federal recognition and self-deter-minaūon: protect rights, finance programs, secure and manage assets, work in partnership with other agencies, organizations and individuals toward eommon goals for Hawaiians. This is NOT a eampaign to advance OHA as the entity that becomes the nation. This is for all Hawaiians, all Hawaiian programs and institutions and for federal recognition of Hawaiians and self-determination. Principles of leadership by example, leadership in partnership with other Hawaiian

institutions and leaders guided by values for being fair, of earned mutual respect, of reasonable, responsible, needs-based, leadership with courage and aloha will measure our steps. We will be required to be diligent and steadfast, cautious but mindful of our responsibilities to listen and to lead. These are extraordinary times that require extraordinary effort. We will need to have the courage to lead in concert and full partnership with the people, who make up families and communities and the many organizations and agencies that service and represent Hawaiians. The effort will necessarily take us beyond the Hawaiian community and beyond the shores of Hawai'i, where there are many who will take up our cause if we ask for their kōkua. There are a myriad of details yet to be addressed and developed and mueh more work lies in the days and months ahead. What we have done is achieved a milestone by our •* first step, the hā of our kūpuna, embodied in us, remains resolute.B

Haunani Apoliona, MSW

I Trustee, At-large