Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 1, 1 January 2011 — HO ʻOILINA A MAU LOA [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

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HO ʻOILINA A MAU LOA

A PERPETUAL LEGACY HAS COME FORTH

Aloha pumehana kākou e nā lei ho'i o nā kai 'ewalu, nā 'ōiwi 'ōlino, nā pulapula a Hāloa, mai Hawai'i o Keaweikekahialiiokamoku a Ni'ihau o Kahelelani, a puni ke ao mālamalama. E nā hulu kūpuna, nā lei mākua, nā maka 'ōpiopio, e nā kama'āina a me nā malihini, aloha. 'Oiai e ku nei kākou ma ka palena lihilihi o keia makahiki. He wa kūpono keia e huli a e hoomana'o aku ai i nā hana e me nā mea maika'i he nui i loa'a mai iā kākou, ke kaiāulu Hawai'i no ke ke'ena kuleana Hawai'i. He makahiki keia i piha pu ia me nā hana ko'iko'i a me nā hanana like ole. Aloha nui kākou.

(Translation) Wann greetings to you all, be!oved ones of the "eight seas " of Hawai'i, natives who seek wisdom and cherish knowledge, descendants of Hāloa, from Hawai'i ofKeaweikekahmliwkamoku to Ni'ihau of Kahelelani and tliroughout this brilliant world, to our beloved elders, our respected parents and bright-eyed youth, to those born of this land and to newcomers, greetings. As we stand here at the threshold of2011, a new decade ahead ofus, it is afitti.ng time to recount the many good things as well as the challenges that havefilled our days with both daunting tasks as well as productive activiti.es.

We are very honored to share this time with you here in the Cathedral of Saint Andrew and pleased to share our message from this prominent sanctuary and pu'uhonua with historic ties to King Kamehameha IV (Alexander Liholiho 'lolani) and Queen Emma who in 1862 commissioned I the building and construction of this Cathedral of Saint Andrew (St. Andrew's Cathedral) nearly 150 years ago. We know also that Washington Plaee was separated from this property by only a gated fence that opened often to weleome young visitors to the lokomaika'i of Queen Lili'uokalani. To all present in our Hale Pule today, as well as those | who are joining us throughout our state, the nation and the world connected by radio, computer and television, weleome to our eighth annual State of OHA and the Hawaiian Community address. Likened to the Governor's State of the State and the 1 President's State of the Union messages, the State of OHA and the Hawaiian Community address was launched in 2003 as an innovation suggested by our youngest OHA Trustee John Waihe'e IV as an opportunity to highlight accomplishments of the past year, not just by OHA, but by the Hawaiian community as a whole, and provide comment on where Hawaiians stand today and where we, as a group, need to go. I ampleased to deliver this eighth annual address; and because it will be my last, I humbly share some broader personal comments regarding our challenging yet inspiring journey. Nov. 4, 2010, marked the 30th anniversary of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, that day in 1980 when Hawaiians were able to vote for their own representatives for the first time in a century.

Later that month, the nine OHA Trustees and staff opened the doors for business; OHA operations began. The 1978 Hawai'i State Constitutional Convention set the groundwork that brings us to this milestone in Hawai'i history: (1) affirming Hawai'i's Native Hawaiian legacy through amendments to the State of Hawai'i Constitution, ratified by all Hawai'i voters, (2) acknowledging the State's historic obligation, embodied in the Admission Act, to improve conditions for Native Hawaiians through ceded land ineome and revenues; and (3) establishing the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to ensure appropriate outcomes for needs of Native Hawaiian beneficiaries and Hawaiian self-determination. The evolution of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs over the past three decades ean be characterized as: • Decade One (1978-1988) Formation of OHA: Birth and Infancy Steps • Decade Two (1989-1999) Struggle for Recognition and Legitimacy: Growing Pains • Decade Three (2000-2010) Improving Oversight Management and Preparing for Rebuilding Native Hawaiian Governance My time as an OHA Trustee began in 1996, halfway through Decade Two - the growing pains and struggle for recognition and legitimacy phase. As many of you will recall, newspaper headlines and commentaries prior to and for the remainder of that second decade, attested to OHA's observed tension and dysfunction - oftentimes fueled by "personal poliīieal agenda of self-service." Into that mix stepped three wāhine in the spirit of Na Lei Lōkahi. 1996 was the year that "reform" at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs was catalyzed by the election of Apoliona, Machado and Springer; Springer retired in 2000

- Apoliona and Machado stayed the course and focused forward. The 1 996 mission and efforts for reform and improvement at OHA have continued to this very minute, joined by Trustees of good intent and motivation, elected eaeh campaign season since 2000, guided by the message of our kupuna Kawaiho'ouluoha'ao, to "get a grip and leave a legacy." My time as OHA Board Chairperson began in December 2000. In December 2010, distinguished as the "longest-serv-ing OHA Board Chairperson in OHA's 30-year history, having served as Chairperson for nine years and nearly eight months, I now step back to provide the space and opportunity for the natural and appropriate "transition" in Board leadership. My leadership style was not to be characterized as one for "wartime" or "peacetime" but rather one for promoting partnership, shared responsibilities, commitment, discipline and delivery, "leading for results." My mission has sought justice for Hawaiians by focusing on the issues, for the right reasons, in the right way, at the right time, while fiercely guarding OHA's Constitutional standing, independence and self-determination in decision making. OHA must affirm and safeguard its statutory mission and should be no "rubber stamp" for ANY partisan agenda nor be "blind" to subtle or overt attempts to undermine Native Hawaiians. To my Trustee colleagues, our OHA staff from Hawai'i to Washington, D.C., our beneficiaries, our partners and the community at large, I say mahalo a nui and I will continue to do my best as simply a Trustee-At-Large for the duration. WEile 20 1 0 SG1GCtion of the OHA Board SEE STATE 0F 0HA ON PAGE 20

In her fmal State of OHA address, Haunani Apoliona calls Hawaiians to action and ushers in a new era under incoming Chairperson Colette Machado

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Continued from page 19 Chairperson is not yet three hours old, let me assure ALL within the sound of my voice that I have envisioned this leadership transition, led it and have worked with the Board leaders to prepare for it, over the last 12 to 15 months. OHA Board Chairperson Trustee Colette Machado now has the "kuleana" to focus on "reform and improvement" at OHA - as we start the new decade. It is a kuleana that we must ALL help to support, keep on track, strengthen and grow; investing our service, not self-service - to improve conditions for Native Hawaiians - Empowering Hawaiians - and through this - Strengthening ALL Hawai'i. THE CURRENT STATUS OF NATIVE HAWAIIANS IS VIBRANT; WE RECOGNIZE THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT EVEN AS WE CONTINUE TO MARK MILESTONES OF SUCCESS. The Royal Benevolent Societies, established by our Ali'i, persevere in advancing their missions of tradition in our contemporary times - the collaboration of the collective 'Aha Hlpu'u in 2003 -provided guidance and significantly affected the relocation in 2008 of the King Kamehameha statue to its prominent and culturally appropriate plaee, open to the heavens, in Emaneipahon Hall in the Washington, D.C., Capitol Visitors Center. The Puhlie Trust of Hawaiian Home Lands forges on to establish more housing, planned communities and stability for beneficiary families through HOAP, Home Ownership, and Kūlia I Ka Nu'u, empowerment for eommunity leadership in homestead associations. DHHL's transition in leadership is underway and continued progress is anticipated. And we are pleased to weleome to this gathering Chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission and Director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Alapaki Nahale-a, himself a product of the 'Āina Ho'opulapula and one who holds fast to his family legacy to serve for the good of the beneficiaries. The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs is thriving - new Civic Clubs are being chartered, in Hawai'i and on the continent, young adults are being purposefully nurtured to take their role of future leadership in the Civic Club movement. The recent election of the Association President at Convention in Keauhou, Kona, heightens visibility and increases respon-

sibility of the Association by its Mainland Council as the Association prepares for its 2012 Civic Club Convention, to be convened in Washington, D.C., a first in Hawaiian Civic Club history. Ke Ali'i Maka'āinana Hawaiian Civic Club has assumed logistical lead. The 2012 convention site visits planned for our Convention participants in Washington, D.C., will include retracing the steps of the Ali'i Diplomatic Missions of the late 18th and 19th centuries. OHA's Washington, D.C., Bureau has and will continue to facilitate support for Ke Ali'i Maka'āinana's efforts in D.C. Prince Kūhiō would be pleased to know that the social change movement of Hawaiian Civic Clubs that he established in 1918 has forged its path back to Washington, D.C., where he labored for nearly 20 years as the Hawai'i Delegate to Congress, his work eulminating in the enactment of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, in 1920. Our Ali'i Trusts and their Trustee policymakers eonhnue to workdiligently addressing the needs of Native Hawaiian beneficiaries as expected through their Trust charters to support children orphaned and destitute, elders in need and those aspiring to quality education, heahh and well-being. The Hawaiian Service Institutions and Agencies continue to serve Native Hawaiians in areas of heahh, employment, library services, vocational and higher education services, business assistance, legal advocacy and service to kupuna. Most of these Hawaiianserving agencies mark at least 35 years and in some cases centuries of service for Hawaiians statewide. The Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, a member of HSIA, stands prominently in the international limelight having recently eompleted a successful gathering and sharing of the Kū images (one from London, one from Massachusetts and one from Hawai'i) but truly all three are of our homeland. There were nearly 80,000 visitors and a substantial number of them were Native Hawaiians. OHA was honored to have been a partner in this effort. The Museum's international prominence continues into 2011 with its President/CEO Timothy Johns serving as the Vice Chair of the Host Committee for the 201 1 meeting in Hawai'i of worldwide leaders for Asia-Pacific Eeonomie Cooperation (APEC). This gathering, like the gathering of the Kū images, will empower Hawaiians and strengthen Hawai'i. BANKOH President/CEO Peter Ho serves as Chair of that same APEC Host Committee. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs has stepped up to serve as a partner in this loeal, nahonal

and international initiative offering our expertise of special focus. Papa Ola Lōkahi, established in the 1980s, and also a member of HSIA, served an international role in leadership as the convener of the Sixth Gathering of Healing Our Spirit Worldwide in September 2010. This cultural celebration and international indigenous conference that occurs every four years, continued the tradition of Healing Our Spirit Worldwide to strengthen and heal indigenous families and communities worldwide. In 2014 the Seventh Gathering will convene in Australia. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs was honored to have supported the efforts of Papa Ola Lōkahi and our community. There are many other examples, works in progress too numerous to menhon, that inspire and encourage us to celebrate the vibrant status of our Native Hawaiian eommunity. But indulge me as I mention a hnal one. Papahānaumokuākea, the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, a ehain of 10 islands, atolls, submerged banks, shoals and reefs, encompassing two-thirds of the Hawaiian archipelago stretching more than 1,200 miles northwest of our main populated Hawaiian Islands, was encountered by Polynesian voyagers in double-hulled canoes as early as 1000 A.D. Papahānaumokuākea, the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, in the 18th and 19th centuries suffered increased international commercial activities, increased exploitation of marine and terrestrial environments, and destruction of island ecosystems. Papahānaumokuākea, the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, evolved in recognition through bipartisan proclamations of the U.S., Presidents and a Hawai'i Governor over the span of a century as a National Wildlife Refuge, then a Coral Reef System Reserve, then a State Marine Reserve and finally as a Marine National Monument. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, along with representatives of the Co-Trustees serve on the Papahānaumokuākea Management Board. Papahānaumokuākea, the only site nominated by the U.S. for inscription in the last 15 years, was designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on July 30, 2010, and inscribed by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee as a World Heritage Site - "a plaee of universal value." The Office of Hawaiian Affairs was honored to be included as a member of the United States delegation to advocate for and witness this historic decision. Papahānaumokuākea now enjoys "internahonal recognition" joining Tongariro Nahonal

Park of New Zealand, East Africa's Serengeti, Australia's Great Barrier Reef and the Egyptian Pyramids as one of the world's gems. For us at home, Papahānaumokuākea is a plaee where nature and culture are one; a plaee that reaffirms a unified cultural identity rooted in land and sea; a plaee that unlocks ancestral memories and voices. This set of "kupuna islands" inspires "eultural vibrancy" in our people. Speaking of inspiration . . . Hawai'i has just elected a Governor who has a track record of serving Hawai'i and Native Hawaiians in the Congress for more than two decades. Before he relinquished that post, our new Governor ensured that a version of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act was passed by the House of Representatives and sent to the Senate, for continued work toward enactment. During his tenure as Senator in the Hawai'i State Legislature, he helped to shape Chapter 10 of the Hawai'i Revised Statutes that made possible the implementation of Article XII of the State Constitution for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Thirty years ago, Neil Abercrombie used the term "Pyrrhic victory" and lamented that litigation would follow. At the dawn of this decade, he will lead Hawai'i's executive branch and assist Hawai'i's legislative branch to resolve and implement the $200 million payment for "past-due" Puhlie Land Trust revenues due to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, unpaid since 1980. These resources will empower OHA and Native Hawaiians, strengthen Hawai'i and be transferred to the Native Hawaiian governing entity onee established. In a recent business forum, its keynote speaker focused on the topic of the emergence of a "new" big Five in Hawai'i. Three of the Five included the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Kamehameha Schools and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Decade Four (2011-2020) will chronicle our success at achieving and maintaining excellence for Native Hawaiian eeonomie, social, cultural, spiritual and poliheal wellbeing. Native Hawaiian leadership must focus upon that outcome and its benefits to all Hawai'i nei. THE CURRENT STATUS 0F OHA IS PROMISING. The sum of any whole is found in the strength of its parts. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, since the sitting of its first Board of Trustees in November of 1980, has taken its plaee within a system of Hawaiian-focused SEE STATE 0F 0HA ON PAGE 21

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Continued from page 20 trusts, service organizations and advocate entities. In the first 20 years, the first two decades, OHA moved from infancy through its growing pains, shaping its identity, legitimacy and recognition. Most assuredly, nowhere else in our nahon of governments, native or non-native, is there an entity like the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. In 1978, Article XII of the Hawai'i State Constitution established the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. OHA's elections of nine Trustees, by all Hawai'i's voters as determined in 2000, is protected by the U.S. Constitution. Opponents of self-determination for native people and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs have filed numerous Federal Court complaints on the grounds of "racial discrimination" ignoring Native Hawaiians as a class of "indigenous native people" aeknowledged by Congress as having special poliheal status. Over these 30 years, OHA has eome a long way. And while I cannot cover all details of service, programs and opportunities in this address, I hope you will take advantage of the OHA web site, www.oha.org, and OHA's free subscription to Ka Wai Ola, our monthly newspaper, and Ka Wai Ola Loa, our monthly online newsletter. I hope you will be a regular and loyal listener to Na 'Ōiwi 'Ōlino, our daily one-hour radio program on 940 AM at 7 a.m. and at 5 p.m. and its digital eahle ehannel 856, AND the computer online access to Paeihe Network Television. These tools informour thinking, prepare us for action and increase our success for today and tomorrow. What you will carry home today in hard copies are the OHA Annual Report 2010, OHA Grants Report for 2010, this 2010 State of OHA and the Hawaiian Community speech along with the OHA Chairperson's message "On The Occasion of OHA's 30th Anniversary... " OHA's productivity in decade four (20112020) will be catalyzed by achieving six Strategic Priorities and 10 Strategic Results through Advocacy, Research and Resource Management as outlined in our OHA Strategic Plan 2010-2016 (plan is available on the OHA web site). ALL HAWAI'I MUST COMMIT TO A LARGER VISION THAT EMBRACES NATIVE HAWAIIANS IN PARTNERSHIP

WITH THE BROADER COMMUNITY - LOCAL, NAĪIONAL AND INTERNAĪIONAL. As we bring closure to this present decade (2000-2010), both OHA and the Hawaiian community approach the culmination of a historic outcome - passage of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act - a eulminahon of iniīial preparations for re-establishing recognized Native Hawaiian governance; and, payment of "past-due" Puhlie Land Trust revenue obligations by the State to OHA, unpaid since 1980. I would like to add more current information on the matter of the NHGRA. This past week the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act has been in the news. The fact is - all of us expected that the bill passed by the House and reported to the Senate in early 2010 would have had a Senate floor vote before the November 2nd general election because amendments had been agreed to by the State and our Senators. NO Senate floor vote occurred before Nov. 2. The "lame-duck" session was targeted for Senate floor action on S.3945, introduced on Nov. 15, containing the amendments agreed to by Gov. Lingle and our Hawai'i Senators. The ultimate vehicle and strategy forNative Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act as we now know, was the OMNIBUS appropriations bill, for whieh bipartisan support had been assured and commitments made. The OMNIBUS combined 12 appropriations measures affecting multiple states and

programs, including many in Hawai'i for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, the University of Hawai'i Law School, the State Department of Education, the Polynesian Voyaging Society and numerous others. Also included in a section of the OMNIBUS was language, directing the Secretary of the Interior and the U.S. Attomey General, to work directly with State of Hawai'i and its Constitutionally created entities serving Hawaiians, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, to facilitate the enabling governance process. By the end of last week, the nine Republiean votes for the OMNIBUS had been peeled away by Senate Minority Leader McConnell, commitments were broken. Senate Majority Leader Reid withdrew the OMNIBUS from consideration lacking the votes necessary for passage. Without a doubt, this is another setback in a series of many for us. But if Native Hawaiians are committed to self-determination, this additional hurdle should not derail our efforts or our resolve. We should begin to implement the spirit and intent of the language that would have been in the OMNIBUS. OHA working with DHHL and the Governor's Office should launeh the first step in the process - the ENROLLMENT AFFIRMATION phase. OHA and our partners must reach out to all Native Hawaiians, wherever they reside. The time is now for us, individually, to decide to participate or not participate in this Native Hawaiian Governance Reorganization Process. Our commitment to participate

is affirmed by our ENROLLMENT. We cannot be idle. We cannot be immohilized or paralyzed. "Victim mentalities" are not acceptable. We must move methodically, determinedly and collaboratively, NOW. We will achieve Federal Recognition for Native Hawaiians. Regrettably, our Native Hawaiian programs and assets will still be challenged, remain in "harm's way"; and, litigations will probably continue. But, if the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustees are ready to commit resources to launeh the first step, the ENROLLMENT AFFIRMATION phase, we SHOULD begin NOW. And the close of this 2010 decade will not be so "grim or frustrating." If we seek to be self-determining, then let's be it and live it ... in all that we do. It is up to us. HIKI NŌ. The beginning of the new decade prompts the opening of Native Hawaiian expanded visibility in the international arena. The "unanimous" vote, adding Papahānaumokuākea to the World Heritage list by 24 world governments of the United Nations World Heritage Committee in Brasil in July acclaims the world recognizes as critieal this example and concept of protection, perpetuation and preservation of this marine management, natural and cultural system as a site of universal value. Furthermore, it provides affirmation by the United States Department of State the important role whieh Native Hawaiians ean, and SHOULD play in decision making in the Pacific. This U.S./OHA collaboration affirms and fortifies OHA's insistence that it be designated the fourth Co-Trustee managing Papahānaumokuākea. OHA's participation in preparing for the Hawai'i meeting in 2011 of Asia-Pacific Eeonomie Cooperation (APEC) gives Native Hawaiians an additional opportunity for global recognition and heightened awareness of Hawai'i's native people by the world. OHA's mission will continue to "improve conditions for Native Hawaiians" and must be done in a loeal, national and international context. Although the challenges ahead are formidable, where there is a will, there is a way. In Hawaiian, we say "HIKI NŌ," CAN DO. The brighter the future for Native Hawaiians, the greater will be the positive outcome for ALL HAWAI'I. OHA cannot, has not and should not attempt to improve conditions for Native Hawaiians in isolation; but with collaborative action. HIKI NŌ! XI STATE 0F 0HA ON PAGE 22

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Newly elected Trustees, from left, John Waihe'e IV, Oswald Stender, Boyd Mossman, Peter Apo and Rowena Akana stand as their loved ones tie their lei hulu. - Photo: laeh Villanueva

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Continued from page 21 CL0SING As our kūpuna have reminded us . . . nānā i ke kumu . . . look to the source. While impacting native interests at the national and international level we will remain grounded by making sure we never lose sight of our vision, mission and the foundation of our work at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. OHA's vision and mission: "Ho'oulu Lāhui Aloha - To raise a beloved nation" is OHA's vision statement, whieh blends the thoughts and leadership of both King Kalākaua and Queen Lili'uokalani. Both faced tumultuous times and met their challenges head-on, just as we must do today. OHA's mission statement commits to "mālama (protect) Hawai'i's people and environmental resources and OHA's assets, toward ensuring the perpetuation of the culture, the enhancement of lifestyle and the protection of entitlements of Native Hawaiians, while enabling the building

of a strong and healthy Hawaiian people and nation, recognized nationally and internationally." The significance of that vision/ mission may be better understood by ALL Hawai'i residents through considering establishing a model of governance and societal interaction based upon traditional values and practices whieh encompass meaningful contemporary iniīiatives and adaptations reflective of Hawai'i's unique multicultural lifestyle with emerging exemplary, dedicated, ethical, compassionate and enlightened leadership. Challenges ahead require all of Hawai'i's people to share the vision and join in unified effort. With lōkahi - mutual respect, halanee and harmony among spiritual, environmental and human forces - our collective well-being and survival are assured. Let us join hands, hearts, minds and spirits toward a better HAWAI'I and PACIFIC CENTURY with one voice. E HIKI NŌ KĀKOU! While moving forward let us be imbued with the spirit of our ancestors as expressed over 30 years ago by kupunawahine Edith Kanaka'ole with these words that continue to inspire: Nā ka 'uhane a nā kūpuna,

e ho'okūpa'a iā kākou, me ka pūwalu mau kekahi me kekahi. 'O 'oukou nō nā kia'i o nā pua mamo no kēia wā a kēia wā aku ma lalo 0 ka malu o nā hulu mākua. 'O ke aloha, ka 'oia i'o, ka pono, e pā aku ka makani i nā pu'uwai, i nā mana'o maika'i, i nā mana'o 'ike 1 kēia pae one, 'āina pae one ē a'e ā pau. E ... a hui hou kākou me ke aloha o ka welina no ka 'āina aloha. Aloha nō. (Translation) May the spirit of our ancestors keep us together, steadfast and unified always, eaeh with the other. Watch over our children, guide our sons and daughters, hold close our elderly. May the winds of aloha, truth and righteousness be ever present in our hearts and minds and extend over the seas to touch the other shores. Until we meet again ... all ofus . . . we remain loyal to our homeland bound together by aloha. Imua e nā poki'i a inu i ka wai 'awa'awa. A'ohe hope e ho'i mai ai. Aloha and mahalo. ■