Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 31, Number 12, 1 December 2014 — ʻŌlelo a ka luna hoʻomalu [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ʻŌlelo a ka luna hoʻomalu

Message from the Chairperson

Aloha mai kakou, The imagery for this year's annual report of the Office of ffawaiian Affairs (OffA) features the game of konane, a game of flexible strategy, constant adjustments to new conditions and opportunities, and above all, making the last move. This approach can serve us well as we work with our community, the ffawai'i Legislature, the U.S. Congress and the Obama administration in achieving our most cherished goal - rebuilding our beloved Hawaiian nation. As we complete our 35th year, OHA has a solid foundation to serve as the platform for the Native Hawaiian 'Aha that will re-establish the sovereign Native Hawaiian government. . We have a land base of important legacy lands that are being managed to transfer to the I nation - Waimea Valley and Kukaniloko, the sacred birthplace of our highest ranking ali'i I on O'ahu, Wao Kele O Puna on Hawai'i island, and Palauea on Maui. I We also have commercial properties. The former Gentry Pacific Design Center, now I called Na Lama Kukui, not only houses the OHA offices, but also generates income from I the leasing of commercial space. Agricultural lands surrounding Kukaniloko, acquired as I a buffer, will be leased to support small farming and generate revenue. We own the com- I mercial properties of Kaka'ako Makai and will continue to work with the Legislature to I maximize the revenue potential of these lands. More importantly, we will have a role in I shaping the future of Kaka'ako as a Hawaiian community that welcomes access by the broader community for recreation, health and well-being. Our asset base of $640 million is at its highest level since OHA was established in 1979, and as this annual report shows, we are providing services and benefits to the broadest number of Native Hawaiians in all of our 35 years: 7,474 Native Hawaiian scholars; charter school students; gifted and talented students; and individuals and families who participated in weight reduction programs, prenatal care and received loans for education, home improvements, debt consolidation and emergency needs. When we expand the numbers to include the families of these individuals served, we have actually reached four to five times as many Native Hawaiians. Above all, we have a brilliant and energetic staff dedicated to advocating for the wellbeing of Native Hawaiians and the protection of our cultural and natural resources, rights, entitlements and trusts. We treasure the restoration of 12,900,000 gallons of water per day to two Central Maui streams as a result of the Na Wai 'Eha contested cases.

E holomua pu kakou, Colette Y. Machado Chairperson, Board of Trustees