Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 26, Number 7, 1 Iulai 2009 — OHA's priorities laid out for a new Strategic Plan [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA's priorities laid out for a new Strategic Plan

More Hawaiiam report a stronger optimismfor the nextfive years The Office of Hawaiian Affairs took a significant step forward in May toward the eomplehon of its new six-year Strategic Plan. The OHA Board adopted six Strategic Priorities to serve as the foundation of the Strategic Plan and guide the development of specific strategies and actions. These six priority areas are: heahh, education, governance, land, eeonomie selfsufficiency and culture. Substantial input from the Hawaiian community in March was essential in the development of these priorities. A variety of methods were used, including a telephone survey, an online survey, a student survey and a survey in the February edition of Ka Wai Ola. Additionally, focus groups and interviews were eonducted with OHA staff, trustees and community stakeholders. The telephone survey was statistically representative and asked Native Hawaiians statewide about

their perspectives of Hawaiians today compared to five years ago, and their perspectives on Hawaiians five years from now. The results to the first question were normally distributed, where nearly half the respondents believe that the conditions of Hawaiians are the same as they were five years ago; and the other half evenly divided in their views of the conditions being better or worse. This was in contrast to a stroneer sense of onti-

mism about the future, where more than 40 percent believe that Native Hawaiians will be better off over the next five years and only 20 percent believe conditions will get worse. A table summarizing the survey results is provided below. In the aggregate, this six-part research effort secured responses from 2,306 individuals, who eollectively provided more than 3,000 responses on the issues and trends that are facing Native Hawaiians in 2009 and the years ahead. Among these responses were comments such as: • "Educational achievement has

yielded eeonomie, professional and technological opportuniti.es. Education is the kev." • "Native Hawaiians suffer more and are disproportionately impacted when the economy is had." • "The economy impacts education, johs and health care." • "Culturally based educati.on has made a difference." • "Land issues are i.mportant. such as ceded lands and

the cost ofland." • "There is a sharper di.vide between the 'haves ' and the 'have nots • "Native Hawai.i.ans face a very challengi.ng legal and poli.ti.cal environment." • "There is hope i.n thefliture, the younger generati.ons are better educated and motivated." • "There are more resources for Hawai.i.ans and the programs are fragmented." Administrator Clyde Nāmu'o noted: "The response from the Native Hawaiian community was very impressive and we are grateful

for the kōkua of all those who participated. This information was vital in helping us frame six Strategic Priorities that OHA will focus on in coming years and achieve measurable results improving the conditions of Native Hawaiians." The six Strategic Priorities adopted by the Board of Trustees are: 1. EDUCATION: In order to maximize choices of life and work, Native Hawaiians will be able to meaningfully participate in educational opportunities at all levels, including culturally based education. 2. ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFI-CIENCY: To have choices and a sustainable future, Native Hawaiians will make steady progress toward eeonomie self-sufficiency. 3. LAND: Native Hawaiians will have a viable land base, and the eultural integrity and practices of the lands and waters of Hawai'i will be enforced and preserved. 4. HEALĪH: To improve the quality and longevity of life, Native Hawaiians will have access to and use heahh care, and experience reduced incidence of chronic diseases. 5. CULTURE: Native Hawai-

ians will practice, preserve and perpetuate the Native Hawaiian culture and identity. 6. GOVERNANCE: Native Hawaiian self-governance is achieved, OHA no longer exists and its assets are transferred to the entity. OHA's next step in the planning process is to identify specific results and actions in support of the Strategic Priorities and realign OHA's management systems and resources. Beginning in 2010, OHA will have an updated Strategic Plan and management systems in plaee that will enable the organization to successfully measure its performance on improving the conditions of Native Hawaiians. ■

By the numbers ūverthe..., Past Next Hawaiians are= 5 years 5 years Better off 23.4% 40.4% Same 46.3% 34.5% Worse off 27.4% 20.3% Depends 1.7% 3.7% Not Sure 1.2% 1.0% Sample Size: 1,575 respondenle ; Margin ofError: +/- 3.2 .; Survey eoneheieei 3/ S/HS Seseardi ine.

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HO'OKELE - P LA N N I N G

By Stanton K. Enomoto Special Assistaot to the Admioistrator