Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 2, 1 February 2003 — OHA Washington, D.C. Bureau opens this month [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA Washington, D.C. Bureau opens this month

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By Naomi Sodetani The Office of Hawaiian Affairs will extend its presence to the nation's capital with the opening of a satellite office in Washington D.C. on Feb. 10. The office consists of a room within the Congress of Amenean Indians' existing office space. A formal opening reception on Feb. 24 will coincide with Governor Linda Lingle's visit to testify before Congress to urge passage of federal recognition for Hawaiians. OHA has hired Martha Ross, formerly the chief of staff for Chair Haunani Apoliona, to staff the office as its Washington D.C. bureau chief. She will serve as OHA's liaison to Congress as the agency escalates its efforts on both state and federal levels to protect Native Hawaiian rights and entitlements, said Administrator Clyde Namu'o. "Obviously, our first priority will be to educate members of Congress on the newest version of federal recognition legislation whieh is currently being drafted by members of Hawai'i's

OHA Chief of Staff Martha Ross has been nameel OHA's Washlngton, D.C. Bureau chief. Congressional delegation." Ross will provide members of Congress with information eoneeming federal recognition and other issues relating to nationhood and self-determination for Hawaiians, Namu'o said. Ross earned an undergraduate degree in Social Welfare ffom Pennsylvania State University and a master's degree in social work from the University of Hawai'i. Mueh of her professional experience has centered on education, government relations and legislative advocacy. She taught undergraduate and master's level courses

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in crime victimization and domestic violence issues at Hawai'i Pacific University, Chaminade University and UH-Mānoa School of Social Work. Ross worked at the Sex Abusē Treatment Center and also served as executive director of the Hawai'i Commission on the Status of Women. Since 1996, Ross has held various positions with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, including deputy administrator and, most recently, chief of staff for Apoliona. Ross' extensive experience in teaching and education "will certainly eome in handy as she works with members of Congress," Namu'o said. The opening of the Washington D.C. bureau is "an historic moment for OHA and Hawaiians, as OHA officially launches consistent education at the naūonal level," Ross said. She acknowledged being "humbly mindful" of the dedicated efforts by "those before us, including Queen Lili'uokalani, Prince Kūhio, those who signed the Ku'e Petition, the Apology Bill resolution and the Mauka to Makai reconciliation report, and federal legislation important to Hawaiians." Individuals wishing to contact the bureau should contact Ross at marthar@oha.org. ■