Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 25, Number 2, 1 Pepeluali 2008 — Mahalo Trustee Mossman [ARTICLE]

Mahalo Trustee Mossman

Kudos to all the OHA Trustees who consistently provide us updates related to OHA. One specific eolumn caught my attention, Maui Trustee Boyd Mossman's January eolumn, "What to expect in 2008." It truly targeted the most critical gaps in the Hawaiian community. I do want add a bit more. HOUSING: Native Hawaiians of all blood quanta are suffering from homelessness . It impacts their state of mind, feelings and selfesteem. Feelings of hopelessness are very strong and cause the breakdown of family, culture and future generations. The state is not equipped with genuine culturally based interventions and the problem appears to be massively escalating. HEALTH: Let's not forget our kūpuna, many of whom are suffering from various types of dementia especially Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy and seizure disorders. I used to be the vice president of programs for the Alzheimer's Association and executive director of the Epilepsy Foundation. During my outreach activities in rural areas in Hawai'i, I found this to be true and alarming. EDUCATION: During my lectures in puhlie schools, I discovered many DOE staff who may be academically skilled, BUT who are "culturally inept" and laek sufficient orientation and training about Native Hawaiian issues affecting both Hawaiians and nonHawaiians. The implications are serious, as untrained staff cannot provide genuine compassion and empathy to Native Hawaiian students in the face of challenges and entitlements.

Thank you Mr. Mossman for addressing and rekindling serious issues in the Native Hawaiian conununity. Keoni Kealoha 0. Devereaux Jr. Mō'ili'ili

— KA LEO KAIĀULU ■ LETTERS TD THE EDITDR

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