Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 8, 1 August 2010 — OHA holds meetings in Hilo, Nānākuli [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA holds meetings in Hilo, Nānākuli

By Lisa Asato KaWai Ola About L00 peopLe attended the Jufy L4 OHA Community Meeting in Hiio, whieh started with an oii and huia by students of Nā Pua No'eau, who thanked the Trustees for their support. More than 20 speakers addressed the erowd, and many aeknowfedged with a mahaio Hawai'i Jsfand Trustee Robert Lindsey. Speakers inefuded Hawai'i County Couneifwoman Emiiy Naeoie, state Rep. Lyfa Berg of East Honoiuiu, who is running for fieutenant governor, former OHA Trustee Moanike'aia Akaka, Kaie Oumapae of Hawaiian Aiiianee LLC, who spoke about foreefosure prevention programs, and Bo Kahui of Laiopua 2020, a grantee. Lehua Veineent, Principaf of Keaukaha Eiementary Schoof, provided an update

on the proposed schoof cafeteria. Representing OHA were the Trustees, Chief Executive Officer Cfyde Nāmu'o, OHA Community Refations Director Denise Lseri-Matsubara, who presented information on OHA's 20L0-20L6 Strategic Pian and Chief Advocate Esther Kia'āina, who discussed the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act pending in Congress. She afso informed the crowd that she and her staff ean foffow up on advocacy issues peopie may be facing. Every year the OHA Board of Trustees hoids Community Meetings on eaeh major isfand to inform the community of its programs and to fisten to beneficiary concerns. Ln simifar fashion, the Board hefd its Jufy L Board of Trustees meeting in Nānākuii, O'ahu, whieh attracted about 125 attendees. Among them were the show-

stopping Nānākuii High and Lntermediate Performing Arts Center, whieh wiii be traveling to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland in August 20 1 1 . The group of fourth- to 12th-graders performed three numbers and Director Robin Kitsu told the Board it has to raise $225,000 to send all 35 of the students, plus chaperones on the trip. The performing arts group was to hold a ho'olaule'a at the school on July 31. Kitsu said the group has gotten a lot of support from people who read Lee Cataluna's eolumn about their performance abroad. Nānākuli High School Principal Darin Pilialoha and Vice Principal Diana Agor shared information about a new initiative that will start on Aug. 2 with the new school year. The 21st Century Golden Hawks New Tech Academy will start with the ninth-graders and then add sophomores, juniors and seniors eaeh

subsequent year. The school will become part of the New Technology Network of 62 schools nationwide that aims to create an educational environment that includes projectbased leaming and technology. Many grantees thanked the Board for its support, ranging from Hawai'i Habitat for Humanity, Ma'o Farms, Nānākuli High and lntermediate School Summer Bridge Program,

Ulu Ke Kukui Kitchen and Paiolu Kaiāulu, a homeless transitional shelter in Wai'anae. One speaker asked for clarification on the differences between the Akaka Bill and the Native Hawaiian Reorganization Act. Kia'āina, OHA's Chief Advocate, said they are identical, just different ways of referring to the same measure. ■

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Students of Nō Pua No'eau Ihank the Trustees wilh oli, mele and hula at the Hilo meeting. - Photo: Kama Hopkins

Norma Heen, Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chairperson Haunani Apoliona and OHA Chief Advoeale Esther Kia'āina, on right, wilh members of the community at the July 1 meeting in Nānākuli. - Photo: LisaAsato

OHA Trustees get treated to a performance by the some of the stars of Nānākuli High and lntermediate Performing Arts Center. - Photo: LisaAsato