Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 18, Number 6, 1 June 2001 — Native American, Native Hawaiian [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Native American, Native Hawaiian

Trustee Rowena Akana attended the Governor's Interstate Indian Council mid-year meeting in Denver in March. Pictured with her is a the Southern Ute Indian tribe member who performed in opening ceremonies. "Forming alliances and partnering with Native American tribes across the United States will bridge the waters of the Pacific Oeean that now separate us. This is a golden opportunity to infuse our new nation with innovative ideas that will help us accomplish the goal of self-determination," said Akana in her March Ka Wai Ola trustee eolumn. "The struggle to achieve what is just and right for our Hawaiian people and the Native American people is a eommon thread that binds us together." ■

WAIHE'E from poge 7 Currently OHA does its business out of rented space and does most of its programs, grants, and scholarships through other organizations. Having something of substance that the beneficiaries could relate to OHA would help provide a spiritual connection. An ahupua'a rich in Hawaiian culture, values, and tradition such as Waimea Valley would achieve this perfectly. Attaining Waimea Valley could even help the Hawaiian cause for federal recognition. One of the many intentions for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in its conception was for it to be a model for sovereignty. The acquisition of a land base is essential for OHA to fulfill this goal. Finally, Waimea Valley could also be a source of eeonomie development. As a perpetual trust, the

Office of Hawaiian Affairs must look for ways to become eeonomically autonomous. While Waimea Valley will never accomplish this in and of itself, it could still serve as a revenue base. As landowners, OHA would have exclusive rights to charge user fees to non-Hawaiians, or to seek joint partnerships within it. With its lush vastness and breathtaking waterfall, Waimea Valley could be a moneymaker while still preserving its cultural identity. In the end, the acquisition of Waimea Valley by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is an extraordinary opportunity that has mueh going for it. What the future holds for this wondrous plaee, or even what its situation will be when this article is printed, is uncertain. Hopefully, the opportunity of Waimea Valley will not end up as another lost one. ■