Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 30, Number 11, 1 November 2013 — An informed community is o successful one [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

An informed community is o successful one

Aloha from Kaua'i and Ni'ihau! Mahalo this month to Trustee Bob Lindsey, our

Hawai'i Island trustee, for hosting Neighbor Island Community and BOT meetings back in September in East Hawai'i. It was another opportunity for the trustees to visit with our beneficiaries and hear them share their important issues. We also had some awesome site visits, starting our day off at the OHA East Hawai'i office in Keaukaha, a private tour of the Maku'u Fanners

Market by the Maku'u Fanners Association with an 'ono luneh provided by Ānuenue's Catering, the Keaukaha-Pana'ewa Fanners Association, the Pana'ewa Hawaiian Homes Community Association and the Keaukaha Community Association's technology center. Mahalo Bob and East Hawai'i! As I near the end of my first year as a trustee, I've been thinking a lot about the importance of and ehallenges with communities. OHA serves our large base of Native Hawaiian beneficiaries through our advocacy, grants and other work. Yet, on many issues, there is no "one" voice or path for our Native Hawaiian interests; often, wemay have Hawaiians on both sides of an issue and on a complicated issue, we may have Hawaiians on mulīiple sides. On my own island, I have seen this frrsthand with beneficiaries in the Makaweli and Anahola communities. OHA is often put in a difficult situation when we pursue action that we believe will benefit a larger number of Hawaiians but that ultimately will adversely affect some others. Know that the trustees and our administration do not make these decisions lightly and indeed often have a hard ehoiee to make. But even if people may disagree with specific actions, as an agency, OHA is always trying to do what is best for Native Hawaiians, Hawai'i and our collective future.

Some disagreement is a good thing; it means we're thinking about issues that we are passionate about and that all sides are making their voices

heard. But we shouldn't let our disagreements lead to divisiveness and an unwillingness to listen to eaeh other. Remember, if we want to raise and build a beloved naīion, we have to act belovedly toward eaeh other. One way to achieve this is to ensure communities understand what is going on around them and what may affect them. I often hear from people who tell me they haven't heard of

something that will have a profound effect on their community, environment or even livelihood until a final vote is being taken by the OHA Board of Trustees or by other government agencies. Elected and appointed officials ean only do so mueh. To be a successful community, we need to be proactive citizens. The first step is to stay informed. Ka Wai Ola is a great resource on Hawaiian eommunity events, OHA initiatives and the thoughts of the nine elected trustees. So is Kamakako'i (www.kamakakoi. eom), a site that focuses on activating community, empowering Hawaiians and shaping Hawai'i. And it's important to register to vote and remember to show up on every Eleehon Day. Voting is one of the most powerful ways citizens ean eommunieaīe their wishes, satisfaction and even frustration to elected officials. Don't forget about our Open House from 10 a.111. to 2 p.111. on Friday, Nov. 8 at our newly relocated OHA Kaua'i office at 4405 Kukui Grove St. I hope this low-key event will get you to visit and see some of the services that are available. It's a great opportunity to just talk story - that's how we know what's going on and what's important to you. E komo mai! Finally, here's wishing a Happy Thanksgiving to you and your 'ohana. Mahalo nui loa! ■

Dan Ahuna TrustEE, Kaua'i and Ni'ihau