Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 37, Number 7, 1 Iulai 2020 — DESOTO-MCCOLLOUGH, [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

DESOTO-MCCOLLOUGH,

Laura Nonpartisan Special AGE: 65 O Retired School Counselor © lahilahidesotomccollough@gmail.com © none

1. Affordability in Housing, Health Care and the current Eeonomie crisis are just a few of many issues affecting the people of Hawai'i. 1. Affordable housing in Hawai'i. It costs more than half a million ixivjit iiiaii iiaii a iiiiiiiuii

dollars to purchase a home here; whereas, Native Hawaiians are being forced to rent and not own. 2. Affordable Heahh Care. Research has proven that Native Hawaiians suffer from many chronic diseases. 3. Eeonomie Crisis. The State's economy is at its highest. Many Native Hawaiians are being forced to leave their ancestral lands and move elsewhere. 2. 1 have a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology, whieh makes me a person who is caring, empathetic and always looking for solutions to address the issues that we face, as Native Hawaiians. Many Homeless suffer from some type of mental heahh. My expertise in mental heahh ean contribute in this type of situation and many more. Prior to this position, I was the second female in the Sheriff s Department, whieh has helped me to understand the issues of drugs and crimes within our communities. With my experiences and expertise, we ean move forward. 3. Mauna o Wakea is a sacred plaee of worship for Native Hawaiians; therefore, it should be protected always. It's our religious right to worship as Native Hawaiians. Like all religions, we need to respect their rights. We do not build on churches. I understand that OHA has filed a lawsuit in 2017 to advocate on behalf of the Native Hawaiian people to hold the state accountable for its mismanagement of Mauna Kea. OHA must continue in this legal process and to ensure no further destruction on religious grounds. Give the Mauna (temple) back to the people.