Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 25, Number 12, 1 December 2008 — Hawaiʻi, the melting pot of the world [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaiʻi, the melting pot of the world

Diversity - the quality of being made of many different elements, fonns, kinds or individuals. The Aloha Spirit - Akahai, kindness; Lōkahi, unity; 'Olu'olu, agreeable; Ha'aha'a, humility; Ahonui, pahenee. Like brothers and sisters, Hawaiians have many different views and do not see eye to eye on how, when and what to do to achieve our justifiable goals. But the eleetions are over and it is now time to unite as a nation and support the tasks ahead of us. Let us embrace the words of President-elect Barack Ohama, "I know that we will succeed if we put aside partisanship and work together as one nation." Five things that I want to see aeeomplished during this transition are: • OHA be pono • Akaka Bill is passed and signed by President Ohama • OHA helps rebuild the Hawaiian Nation • OHA aids more Hawaiians in education, single mothers with children and our kūpuna • OHA resolves the ceded lands issue We ean freely choose to eonhnue acting independently or we ean stand together and accomplish the tasks ahead. "Yes, we ean." Hawai'i, the melting pot of the world. May your holiday season be filled with all things that make the season bright. May laughter fill your homes and joy fill your hearts. May your table abound with good food and your family embrace eaeh other in thankfulness for being together not only in this holiday season but throughout the year. Embrace the love of your family and the wisdom of your kūpuna. Pray for the healing of our Hawaiian people that God will heal our hearts and land and surround us with His peaee. God Bless you all! Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hauoli Makahiki Hou! S

Donald B. Cataluna TrustEE, Kaua'i and Ni'ihau