Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 21, Number 10, 1 ʻOkakopa 2004 — CANDIDATES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CANDIDATES

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Pi'i mai ka nalu is the theme I chose for my elee lion as Louis Hao for OHA trustee, island of Hawai'i. The surf's up and now is the time for the unification of the Hawaiian people. This wave of unification is sorely needed, as too many individual groups are taking up various causes and positions in our quest for nationhood. We must be one people working in unison. I began this journey in 1980 in our first OHA election. I have never sought any other political office, as I prefer to serve the Hawaiian people. I feel OHA is the institution for Hawaiian voters to express their polilieal rights and also knowing that now the general public is a major part in electing its trustees. We must, as Hawaiians, vote in this upcoming general elee lion on Nov. 2. Now is the time to bring all of Hawai'i's citizens together to address the basic rights of the Hawaiian people. I offer a new wave of Hawaiian values and a challenge to solidify the permanent status of a Hawaiian nation in America. All Hawai'i will benefit when the value and potential of Native Hawaiians are fully developed. Kōkua mai ia'u. I need your vote.

Education: • Ball State University (Indiana) - MA in sociology and MA in counseling - 1971 • University of Hawai'i - BA in sociology - 1958 • Hilo High School - Class of 1954 • Waiakea Kai Elementary and Intermediate School- 1951 Government Service - 45 years: • County of Maui - Executive Assistant to Mayors Apana, Lingle, Tavares and Cravalho • StateofHawai'i-StateHumanSavices,Moloka'i • City & County of Honolulu - P<uks & Recreation • OHA Trustee - Island of Moloka'i, 1984 • OHA Trustee - Island of Maui, 1998 Noteworthy accomplishments as trustee: • Co-architect of Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund Program • Developed Self-Help Home Building Program and mentored the first seven homes through construction in Wai'anae • Participant in Multi-Lateral High Level Conferences 5, 6 and 7 for Pacific Nations,

whieh resulted in International Management of Migratory Fish • Participant in Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef preservation and restoration effort through President Clinton's directive • Coordinated meetings to address carbon dioxide sequestration, Mauna Kea development; and on Kaua'i to address effects of Pacific Missile Range and Hanapepe Salt Flats • Supported Individual Development Accounts (incentive savings accounts with matching federal/OHA/individual funding) • Initiated Entrepreneurship Program on Moloka'i • Guided the Native Hawaiian Rights Handbook • CIP Projects - Kawananakoa and Ho'olehua Recreation Centers A question by the OHA Administrator, Clyde Nāmu'o, "If you could only accomplish one goal as an OHA Trustee, what would it be?" My answer is, the unification of the Hawaiian people. ■

My name is Reynolds Nakooka Kamakawiwo'ole, Jr. (O Kamehameha 'Ekahi). My mother was from Waipunalei and my Father was from Pa'auhau Mauka. My grandparents have lived in Maui, Ka'ū, Kona, Kohala and Hāmākua. Presently, I reside in Kalōpā in the Hāmākua district on the island of Hawai'i. These are the reasons why I wanī to be a trustee for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs: I have a deep aloha for Hawaiians, and it gives me a passion to serve them as a trustee for OHA. I want to address the problems our people face and resolve them. I want to work with board members, staff and beneficiaries to evaluate, strengthen, develop and provide programs for the betterment of Hawaiians. What quaiities woulā you bring to the position ? I have considerable leadership experience that I would bring to the position. I bring trust and integrity to this position, as well as compatibility and dependability. I listen with an educated mind and a compassionate heart. I have very strong Hawaiian spiritual beliefs and am an advocate for Hawaiian culture and traditional teaching. I have considerable and current knowledge of the issues the Hawaiian people face and am continually a voice for our people's needs. What do you consider the most important issues confronting OHA and/or the Hawaiian community? There are several issues facing OHA and the Hawaiian people. The primary issue facing the Hawaiian community is the right of self-deter-

minahon. Another issue is the poor health of Hawaiians. A third issue is the impact of foreign culture on our native rights and traditions, and the associated land use issues. Also important are the legal issues affecting blood-quantum, racism, and sacred sites, burials and/or iwi kūpuna. Proper education for Hawaiians is also very important. Whaī past/current involvement and activities demonstrate your eommiīmenī to the Hawaiian community ? The following list is a few of the organizations I am involved in and demonstrates my devotion and commitment to the Hawaiian people: • Past Board member — Alu Like, Hawai'i Island Board • Past President — Hawaiian Civic Club of Hāmākua • Past Vice President — Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs • Past Hawai'i Board Member — Hui Kāko'o 'Āina Ho'opulapula (Hawaiian Homes applicants organization) • Member/Past Officer — Royal Order of Kamehameha (Māmalahoa Chapter) • Delegate — Hāmākua-Native Hawaiian Convention • Board member — Kahu Kū Mauna (Advisory eouneil to Mauna Kea Management Board) /U an OHA trustee, how would you resolve those concerns? To begin solving issues, I would evaluate all programs and ideas that develop eommunieahon with eaeh Hawaiian and their families. This would create a stronger unity, whieh would aid in working on the self-determination process.

I would encourage our Hawaiian community to get involved with the Native Hawaiian Coalition, working together on individual islands, as well as inter-island, discussing and implementing their mana'o and needs in regaining our country. On the health issue, I would encourage programs on eaeh island that educate Hawaiians as regards yo their nutrition, health, self-esteem and motivation. I would also review and implement a medical plan affordable to Hawaiians. I recommend the development and empowerment of a Hawaiian Homeland Security Division to defend our cultural and traditional rights, land issues, native rights and our eeonomie justice. The more we educate Hawaiians the more ability they have to recapture and hold their culture, their heritage, their land, their way of life, and their dignity as Hawaiians. Every child and adult needs education that both enables them to deal with the outside world and to help attain the lifestyle they value. I would work to ensure that all district learning centers teach Hawaiian culture and traditional practices. I would evaluate the revenues now received from ceded lands and from astronomy on Mauna Kea and Haleakalā and pursue increased payments and/or back payments. Ifyou could accomplish one goal as an OHA trustee, what would it be? If I could accomplish one goal it would be the restoration and reinstatement of our country, as most of the problems we now face would be eliminated. For more information, visit: http://oceanbluehawaii.com/KAMAKAWIWOOLE2004OHA ■

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