Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 38, Number 12, 1 December 2021 — A Look Back [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A Look Back

V LEO 'ELELE ^ TRUSTEE MESSAGES *

As we eome to the end of 2021, we look back on the year that has past and start to look forward to the year ahead. The last two years have been rough, as the Office of Hawaiian Affairs has lost a weahh of knowledge and history from its ranks. With the departure of our chief advocate,

two puhlie policy managers, our Washington, D.C., bureau chief and then our interim bureau chief, our community engagement director, controller, muhiple puhlie policy staff, and more, most of these positions continue to be either vacant or covered by the CEO, COO, CFO, or other management. While OHA continues to actively advertise to try and fill these positions, the practice of multiple-hat-wearing seems to be the norm in the foreseeable future. Whh the recent filling of the chief advocate position, this Trustee looks forward to seeing what is being proposed for OHA's legislative package for 2022. Here is hoping that OHA chooses to advocate for Native

Hawaiian rights, whether it be land, water, or cultural practices. Or broader issues that affect everyone, such as a living wage, state preschools, or biggest issue facing us all - affordable housing. Affordable housing is, in this Trustee's mind, the most important issue - and the silver bullet that that ean help address muhiple issues facing Native Hawaiians, from drug and domes-

tic abuse to criminal recidivism. Whh a plan to help Native Hawaiians with a down payment for home ownership, let us hope politics - or a laek of leadership or vision - will not put up speed bumps or roadblocks to get Native Hawaiians into homes. Whh Hawai'i's high vaccination rate and both county and state restrictions loosening, we all look forward to gathering safely whh our 'ohana. As Hawai'i opens back up to the world, let us all continue to be safe and look out for our aina, our 'ohana, and our kuleana. From my 'ohana to yours, have a Merry Christmas and we look forward to seeing you all safe and healthy in the new year. Mele Kalikimaka a me ka Hau'oli Makahiki hou. ■

Brendon Kalei'āina Lee Trustee, At-large