Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 7, 1 July 2016 — LINDSEY, ROBERT K., JR. (BOB) [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

LINDSEY, ROBERT K., JR. (BOB)

> ► Q1 RESPONSE: Health is one of OHA's six strategic priorities. COLLOBORATION is the path OHA must take going forward. Why? The needs of our lāhui exceed OHA's current resources to provide for these needs. My hope is that OHA will eonhnue to work to find ways to

partner with our Ali'i Tmsts: The Queen's Health System, Kapi'olani Children's Hospital, Kamehameha Schools, Queen Lili'uokalani Tmst and Lunalilo Home. Other potential partners to enjoin: Papa Ola Lokahi and its satellite centers, our Hawaiian focused charter schools, faith-based organizations and our Hawaiian churches. We need to pool our resources and work together to extend our reach. >► Q2 RESPONSE: Our lāhui, when surveyed in 1978 (OHA's founding) and recently (four months ago) have made it clear; 'bread and butter' issues (education, heahh, housing and jobs) are what's important to them. It wants OHAto focus on these issues. In 2016 the majority of respondents see nahon building as a bottom of the barrel issue. OHA must refocus, reboot and rethink its basic priorities if h is to be in alignment with the wishes of our people. I do have a nation-building strategy modeled around the Waimea Nui Development Project. I like and support it as it brings people together. >► Q3 RESPONSE: We have a heritage we must eelebrate and honor. Our ancestors knew what it meant to be GREEN and live GREEN centuries ago. By taking care of the land (mālama 'āina), our forests, streams and oeean, we would be able to sustain ourselves forever. They knew to take just what they needed, when enough was enough. On the global level the Mālama Honua message being disseminated by Hōkūle'a on its worldwide voyage is tmly special and a beacon for all. It's a message from our kūpuna. "Take care of the Earth and h will take care of you." On the loeal level (yes it starts right here at home), this September Hawai'i will host the World Conservation Congress. This is our opportunity to showcase the specialness and uniqueness of our cultural and natural assets, to boast in a quiet and humble way what our ancestors knew centuries ago whieh so many are just coming to know at a time when our Good Earth is in jeopardy because of industrialization, urbanization and rabid consumerism. Yes, environmental issues are global and overwhelming. Nonetheless in our small way in our isolated corner of the world's biggest oeean we ean be part of the solution. Enlist in a loeal aloha 'āina initiative in your community, participate in a beach, stream or graffiti eleanup. Adopt a Highway (section of). Recycle. Be (and stay) informed about coral bleaching, rapid 'ōhia death, and invasive species. Join the Outdoor Circle, Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, some worthy conservation cause. ■