Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 32, Number 12, 1 Kekemapa 2015 — Aloha mai kākou, [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Aloha mai kākou,

When our trustees adopted our strategic plan in 2010, they expected progress in many key areas. They understood that in many ways, Native Hawaiians lagged behind other groups in Hawai'i. Obesity rates are higher, median ineome is lower and academic achievement is not quite up to par. But we are making progress. Thanks to our many community partners and others who are working tirelessly to improve the lives of Native Hawaiians, progress is being made. The December issue of Ka Wai Ola is typically the annual report issue. It's the issue that lets us analyze our progress over the past year. This year, we are also bringing to you our progress report on the first five years of our strategic plan. Our goals are lofty, yet we are making progress. But our efforts stretch far beyond the measurable. Since 2010, we've spent tens of millions of dollars in community grants. The funding comes from our investments, our partners and the state of Hawai'i. This is all money that is reinvested right here. It doesn't go to some faceless corporation. It goes to our neighbors and friends who need a little extra help. We've helped boost businesses with our Mālama Loans. Many of these businesses have used our loans to expand and to create jobs.

In short, we help real people in many ways. Take Korena from Hawai'i Island. As lava approached her home in Pāhoa, she evacuated to Kaua'i because of heahh concerns. She had been urged by OHA staff in Hilo to apply for our lava aid program that provided emergency funding for those displaced by the lava flow, but could not complete all of the paperwork before she was forced to evacuate. She showed up on Kaua'i but was homeless. Our staff quickly figured out she could qualify for the lava aid benefit, helped her complete . the paperwork and then helped her with food and transportation on A Kaua'i. K At OHA, our staff lives with traditional Hawaiian values. It isn't I something we preach as Ka Pouhana or managers; it is something ! that comes from the na'au. Mahalo to Noalani on Kaua'i and Kamuela on Hawai'i Island, and all of our Outreach staff, for /fl evervthino von do lfl

We will continue to strive to do what is right for our people and our lāhui. 'O au iho nō me ke aloha a me ka 'oia'i'o, Kamana'opono M. Crabbe, Ph.D. Ka Pouhana/Chief Executive 0fficer

PROGRESS AH EAD

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