Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 31, Number 4, 1 ʻApelila 2014 — OHA to serve as a facilitator in Hawaiian nation building [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA to serve as a facilitator in Hawaiian nation building

By Harold Nedd n an unprecedented move, a diverse group is rallying around a commitment from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to serve as facilitator as

Native Hawaiians determine the next steps in a process that empowers them to participate in building a governing entity. The announee-

ment eame at a press conferenee attended by an enthusiastic, broad-based group of Hawaiian leaders, who are prepared to help shape the process and determine the outcome of a path in whieh OHA will remain neutral as a facilitator and supporter. "We stand ready to begin a process meant to inspire hope and enahle all Native Hawaiians to take up their kuleana to help build a strong nation," said OHA Ka Pouhana, Chief Executive Officer Kamana'opono Crabbe. The announcement was followed by a decision from the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission to reopen its roll, effective March 17, to allow Hawaiians who have not yet signed up an opportunity to be part of the process.

"This is different from past OHA efforts," said OHA Trustee Haunani Apoliona, the chairperson of the Ad Hoe Committee on Governance Planning created by the OHA Board of Trustees. "We

will remain neutral and ensure that the people ean provide meaningful input on the process and that the outcomes reflect the will of the Native Hawaiian people. As a facilitator, OHA is committed to encouraging Native Hawaiians to participate in the process of building a Hawaiian nation." The move was applauded by such community activists as Bumpy Kanahele, known as the head of state for the Nation of Hawai'i and who has been critical of OHA's efforts in the past. "I'm so proud of OHA for supporting an effort that moves us forward," Kanahele told 'ŌiwiTV in an interview. He also encouraged Hawaiians

to sign up with the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission to be part of the process. "If you haven't signed up, sign up," Kanahele said. "And if you are kānalua (doubtful) about signing up, then find out more information or contact me. I ean give you the perspective of why I'm involved." Klhei Nahale-a, a Native Hawaiian educator, conveyed optimism about the process. "It's not about any one person

or one thing," he told 'ŌiwiTV. "It's about how everybody in the community ean move forward together, even if it's iust a little bit." Walter Ritte, a Native Hawaiian community orga-

nizer, also expressed optimism in an 'ŌiwiTV interview. "The eall to eome together is a great eall and I hope it is a true eall," said Ritte, who attended the press conferenee. "But only time is going to tell us that." Speaking to reporters at the press conference, Crabbe said: "We will eome together to create a nahon where all Native Hawaiians have an opportunity to thrive. I have every confidence that we will succeed." A

For more information, visit mw oha.org/nationbuilding. To view the 'Ōiwi.TV storv, visit http://vimeo. eom/8841 8768.

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We stand ready to begin a process meant to inspire hope and enahle all Native Hawaiians to take up their kuleana to help build a strong nation."

— OHA Ka Pouhana , Chief Executive Officer Kamana 'opono Crabbe

Native Hawaiians representing diverse sectors of the community listen as OHA Ka Pouhana, Chief Executive Officer Kamana'opono Crabbe discusses a nation-building initiative. - Photo: Helson Gaspar