Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 21, Number 3, 1 March 2004 — Increased OHA assets will help fuel a new, commimity-driven Hawaiian government [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Increased OHA assets will help fuel a new, commimity-driven Hawaiian government

Aloha kākou. Regarding the OHA board, may I take this opportunity to commend the Asset Resource Management (ARM) Committee under the able chairmanship of Oz Stender and his vice chair, Dante Carpenter, for their leadership and determination to press forward with a model investment strategy whieh has proven to be extremely successful. Though under considerable criticism for recommending a manager of managers approach to investing our trust funds, Trustee Stender has persevered and created an investment strategy from whieh all beneficiaries have benefited to the tune of about 80 million dollars with a 28 percent increase from last year. I do not believe OHA has ever been in a better financial position. The market itself certainly eontributed but the professionalism of the managers, Goldman Sachs and Franklin Russell, and their accountability has been most impressive and has proved the validity of diver-

sity with a manager of managers format to better monitor and react to the many idiosyncrasies of the market. The bottom line is that OHA has increased its trust fund substantially and that will be for the betterment of Hawaiians and for the use of the new Hawaiian governing entity. As regards this Hawaiian governing entity, may I continue to remind you of the importance to all Hawai'i residents and even the rest of the nation of 1) recognizing that the indigenous people of Hawai'i do exist, 2) that regardless of their blood they exist because they were here before anyone else and 3) they were and have been a distinct politieal entity for centuries. The Akaka bill, S.344, will enhanee this position in the courts and help to protect Hawaiians from incessant legal attacks based on race and also preserve and not forsake what we have today by providing the process and groundwork for a Hawaiian governing entity within the United States.

Despite the arguments that passage of the Akaka bill will forever block an "independent" nation, the option of going it alone and seeking international recognition is still open to those who profess a elaim to the throne; however, you should be aware of the consequent loss of United States and State of Hawai'i citizenship and of all associated benefits to include social security, medicaid, social, educational, governmental and welfare benefits, freedoms under the constitutions, security for your families, etc., all in the name of independence and a return to the 19th century. S.344 will be amended before it passes and also after it passes because it cannot be perfect the first or the 10th time around. Current amendments will assure negotiations for the transfer of lands, assets and authority from the state and federal governments to the Hawaiian government. This new government will be unique in the nation and different from any other

and is the only way Hawaiians ean protect their asset base and their inherent rights, and gain standing as a nation under both federal and international law. Dual citizenship will provide the best of both worlds to those desiring to be a part of this new nation. So those who wish to just keep the status quo and not be bothered with nationhood and Akaka and independence and court cases, its time you get involved and make an effort to preserve your heritage, your culture and your inherent right to be recognized as descendants of a proud and unique people. Kau Inoa is one way to get involved. Register and encourage others to register. Your lives may not be immediately affected, but your posterity will surely reap the benefits or suffer the consequences of the choices you make today. Now is the time for all of us to do what is right, for ourselves, for our posterity, for our people and for all of Hawai'i. ■

Boyd P. Mossman

Trustee, Maui