Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 40, Number 10, 1 ʻOkakopa 2023 — CNHA Opens Kāko'o Maui Relief & Aid Services Center [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CNHA Opens Kāko'o Maui Relief & Aid Services Center

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The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) has opened its Kāko'o Maui Relief & Aid Services Center at Maui Mall Village. The new hub, open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., will focus on providing a cultural approach to help those impacted by the wildfires to best navigate the application process for direct aid and services. The center will host both nonprofit service providers and representatives from various agencies including Imua Family Services, Hawai'i Community Lending, Hawaiian Community Assets, Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, Legal Aid Society of Hawai'i, Papa Ola Lōkahi and more. CNHA is also offering its fundraising campaign, the Kāko'o Maui Fund, to direct resources to Hawaiian communities impacted by the Maui wildfires. Funding supports various needs including shelter, food, hnaneial assistance, and other services as identified by partners doing critieal work on Maui. For more information on the center, or to make a donation, visit hawaiiancouncil.org. Kane Recognized as a Grist 50 "Fixer"

UH Mānoa Assistant Professor Haunani Kane, Ph.D., was recently honored as a leader in climate and justice as a Grist 50 "Fixer." She was recognized for her efforts to drive fresh solutions to the climate crisis and for helping to pave the way for a greener, more just future. In 2018, Kane became the first Native Hawaiian woman to earn

a Ph.D. in geology at the university. She is currently studying sea-level rise and island resiliency in Hawai'i and other Pacific Islands to protect land, eommunities, and culture. Her research combines coastal geology, reconstructions of past climate conditions, and an Indigenous perspective to investigate how islands, reefs and island people are impacted by climate change. Grist is a nonprofit, independent media organization. The Grist 50 is an annual list of leaders from across America who are working on real-world solutions to our planet's biggest challenges, henee the moniker "fixers." Grist Fixers include scientists, artists, policymakers, farmers, social justice advocates, storytellers, entrepreneurs - people ffom varied backgrounds who are pointing the way toward a just, sustainable future. Collectively, their work shows what a vibrant, diverse climate movement looks like, and how we all have a plaee in it. Hawai'i lsland Festival of Birds Coming to Hilo Ihe Hawai'i Festival of Birds, a celebration of Hawai'i's diverse bird species, will be held on Oct. 21, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Grand Naniloa Hotel in Hilo. The event will feature eonservation organizations, guest speakers, manu hula presentations, activities, and talk story and shopping opportunities. Proceeds raised from the festival will support future Hawai'i Island Festival of Birds events, as well as the conservation work of the Hawai'i Wildlife Center and the Conservation Council for Hawai'i. The full day festival will include a Hula Manu Hō'ike featuring guest hālau, along with vendors and exhibitors. Opportunities for guided bird walks and tours the day after the festival will be available, with sign-up at the Saturday fair. For tickets go to www.birdfesthawaii.org.

HCA Receives $1.5M From OHA to Help Hawaiians RentorOwnīheirHomes Hawaiian Community Assets (HCA) has received a $1.5 million grant ffom the OfRce of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) to increase access to services, grants, loans, and housing opportunities for Native Hawaiians looking to rent or own homes. With this funding, HCA will establish the Native Hawaiian Occupancy Ready Project to create an occupancy-ready database of Native Hawaiian residents who have enrolled in HCA's ffee hnaneial counseling services. "We are so humbled by this generous grant ffom OHA," said Chelsie Evans, executive director of HCA. "1his funding will empower us to expand our programs for more rent to own options, increase those reached

through personalized hous-ing-ready counselors, and equip Hawai'i's people with the knowledge and resources necessary to achieve stable and sustainable housing." As a nonprofit organization and HUD-certified housing counseling agency, HCA is eommitted to helping loeal families build generational wealth, and establish eeonomie empowerment and hnaneial stability. Purple Mai'a Receives $200,000 Grant From OHA Ihe Purple Mai'a Foundation has announced a grant award totaling $200,000 that will support the Native Hawaiian community through the OfRce of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Community Grants program for education. With the award, the Purple Mai'a will focus on introducing students and teachers in Ha-

PURPLE MAI'A

wai'i to artificial intelligence (AI) through workshops, training sessions, and mentorship programs. By equipping Native Hawaiian students with AI knowledge and skills, they aim to increase their college, career, and community readiness, and ensure they are prepared to participate in the rapidly evolving field of AI. Moreover, by increasing the number of Native Hawaiian professionals in STEM and AI-relat-ed fields, Purple Mai'a aims to contribute to the development and innovation of AI in Hawai'i and ensure that Hawaiian perspectives and values are integrated into the field. This long-term community goal was developed in response to the growing importance and impact of AI on the Native Hawaiian community and the recognition that AI is rapidly becoming an essential part of many industries, including healthcare, hnanee, and education. The development and innovation of AI in Hawai'i will require a diverse range of perspectives, including the perspectives of the Native Hawaiian community. "We believe the long-term community goal of seeing that Native Hawaiian students are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to pursue and succeed in AI related fields and contribute to the development and innovation of AI in Hawai'i, must begin with education. That is why Purple Mai'a Foundation has put an emphasis on developing this project we have named 'Waiw.AI, " said Mike Sarmiento, Purple Mai'a vice president of education. see NEWS BRIEFS on PAGE 31

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NEWS BRIEFS Continued from page 30 Creation of a Lahaina AdvisoryTeamandan Office of Recovery In a key step toward recovery, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen has formed a five-member Lahaina Advisory Team comprised of Lahaina residents. The Advisory Team will serve as a critical resource and will meet weekly with Bissen to ensure the needs and desires of the community are part of discussions and decisions at the county level. 'As parents, business owners, compassionate community leaders and residents who have long-standing and generational ties to Lahaina, eaeh member offers a perspective that will help guide key discussions as we purposefully and mindfully go forward," Bissen said. "I'm deeply grateful for their willingness to give their time and their eolleetive voice to help navigate these unprecedented times that truly must involve our community." Members of the Lahaina Advisory Team are: Archie Kalepa, a ninth generation resident of Lahaina and leader of Maui Oeean Rescue and Safety; Kaliko Storer, the area training and eultural advisor for Hyatt Resorts; Kim Ball, founder and president of Hi-Tech Maui, ine., and Lahainaluna High School wrestling eoaeh; Laurie DeGama, owner of Lahaina's No Ka Oi Deli and Lahainaluna PTSA president and; Rick Nava, president and owner of Lahaina-based MSI Maui. Maui County's newly established Ofīice of Recovery will address intermediate and longterm disaster recovery needs and be the center of coordination for integrated outcomes in eommunity planning; housing; infrastructure; natural, historical, and cultural resources; eeonomie resiliency; and heahh and social service systems. "The way forward is together," Bissen said. "We will do everything in our power to bring sta-

bility and support to all our Maui 'ohana who are experiencing unimaginable hardship." Hawai'i AG Selects FSRI to lnvestigate Maui Fires Hawai'i Attorney General Anne E. Lopez has announced that she has selected Underwriters Laboratories' Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), a nonprofit research organization, to assess the policies and performance of state and county agencies in preparing for and responding to the Maui wildfires. FSRI is dedicated to addressing the world's unresolved fire safety risks and emerging dangers. "I am committed to an independent, unbiased, and transparent investigation into government actions during the fires," Lopez said. "I hear the frustration and understand that many have had their belief in government shaken by this unprecedented tragedy. It is crucial to preserve faith in government aetion by using science and sound investigative techniques to determine the facts. "We ean improve our responsiveness and resilience. Onee the investigation is completed, our next step is to take decisive aetion to rectify any issues and develop new policies, procedures, and necessary actions to save lives in the future." Lopez said FSRI will eomplete a thorough investigation of government agency actions up to and during the first 24 to 72 hours of the fire and its aftermath, with the hnal report anticipated in approximately 12 months - in late 2024. FSRI will conduct the investigation in three phases and eaeh phase's timing will be shared with the puhlie. Any additional time required will be announced, with the intent of ensuring a thorough investigation. Lopez will share information with the community at the end of eaeh phase and at the eompletion of the investigation. She also will share the recommendations directed to state and eoun-

ty agencies to help prevent and better prepare communities for future disasters. "The FSRI investigation, and what we learn from science and sound investigative practices, will result in a set of concrete policy recommendations that will help ensure a safer, more prepared Hawai'i," Lopez said. Point in īime Count Releases Native Hawaiian Sub-Report The O'ahu Point in Time (PIT) Count is a federally required census count that determines the number of people experiencing homelessness on O'ahu on one night in January - in this case, Jan. 23, 2023. The Native Hawaiian sub-re-port represents individuals experiencing homelessness on O'ahu who reported being Native Hawaiian. It seeks to understand how Native Hawaiians

are affected by homelessness and how their experiences may differ ffom other populations. The PIT Count is divided into two sections: the Unsheltered Count, whieh counts individuals staying on the street, in cars, on beaches, or other places not meant for human habitation; and the Sheltered Count, whieh counts individuals who stayed in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or veteran safe havens. Highlights of the Native Hawaiian sub-report includes the following statistics: Hawaiians experiencing homelessness increased 16% from 2022; Hawaiians have consistently accounted for about 40% of the homeless population for the past six years; the Wai'anae Coast has the largest unsheltered Native Hawaiian population and; Hawaiians report higher rates of all causes for homelessness with health-relat-ed causes being the greatest. For the full PIT report please

refer to the Point In Time Count 2023 Comprehensive Report at www.partnersincareoahu.org/ pit. Interim Working Groups Formed to Address Wildfire Relief In September, House Speaker Rep. Scott Saiki, Majority Leader Rep. Nadine Nakamura, and Minority Leader Rep. Lauren Matsumoto announced the establishment of six interim House working groups tasked with the crucial responsibility of evaluating specific topics related to the Lahaina wildfire and making recommendations for appropriate legislative action in the 2024 Legislative Session. "While we remain in mourning for the tragedy, the House will take action prior to the legislative session to focus on SEE NEWS BRIEFS ON PAGE 34

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NEWS BRIEFS Continued from page 31 immediate issues that require temporary or transitional relief," Saiki said. "Members of the interim working groups will collaborate with subject experts and various agencies, engage in extensive discussions relating to the Lahaina wildfire, and formulate recommendations for the upcoming session." During the interim, members of the bipartisan working groups are called to collaborate with federal, state, and county agencies, along with community stakeholders and interested parties. Eaeh group is tasked with the responsibility of producing a final report by December 15. These reports will detail ongoing actions and recommendations for potential legislation relating to the Lahaina wildfire. "We recognize that concerns such as wildfire prevention, shelter, schools, jobs and businesses, environmental remediation, and supplies remain top-of-mind for Maui residents," Nakamura said. "We look forward to productive discussions and establishing a fr amework that reflects the Legislature's unwavering commitment to supporting Maui." "First and foremost, the Legislature needs to do everything in its power to provide relief to the victims in Lahaina and their families. These committees will help to shape legislation for the upcoming session to help those in Maui," Matsumoto said. Maunakea Presents at Native American Nutrition Conference Dr. Alika Maunakea, an associate professor of epigenomics in the Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry, and Physiology at the University of Hawai'i John A. Burns School of Medicine, was one of the Indigenous presenters at the Sixth Annual Conference on Native American Nutrition, held in Minneapolis/St. Paul in September.

The world's only conference series of its kind brings diverse stakeholders together to discuss native food systems, food sovereignty, nutrition and heahh.

Tribal and community leaders, nutrition and wellness educators, researchers and students, heahh practitioners, government ofhcials, and funders participated in a wide variety of ex-pert-led sessions and discussions focused on the current state of Indigenous and academic sci-

entific knowledge about native food systems, food sovereignty, nutrition, and heahh. The program included Indigenous perspectives on the role of food in heahh and wellbeing, model tribal programs, the state of Indigenous science, food policy, and more. Kahanu Will Help Curate Hawai'i Triennial Hawai'i Contemporary's Hawai'i Triennial curatorial team for 2025 will include independent 'Ōiwi curator Noelle M.K.Y. Kahanu. Kahanu spent 15 years at Bishop Museum, developing scores

of exhibitions and programs. She worked on the renovations of Hawaiian Hall (2009) and Paeihe Hall (2013), as well as on the landmark E Kū Ana Ka Paia exhibi-

tion (2010). She has a law degree ffom UH Mānoa and previously served as Counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C. She is currently an associate specialist in Puhlie Humanities and Native Hawaiian Programs

in the American Studies Department at UH. Her current research and practice explores the liberating and generative opportunities when museums "seed" rather than cede authority. Also on the curatorial team are Wassan Al-Khudhairi, an independent curator most recently chief curator at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis and Binna Choi, director of Caseo Art Institute (Utrecht) and co-artistic director of Singapore Biennale 2022. Together, they will curate Hawai'i Contemporary's fourth biennial/triennial exhibition. "I look forward to maximizing our community connections to people and plaee and to building profound and transformative relationships between artists, institutions and our audiences," Kahanu said. Kahilu.TV Food Sustainability Mini-Series Ihe first episode of a five-part documentary mini-series, Nā Pua Pasifika (Children of the Pacific), is now available to view for ffee on Kahilu.TV (www.kahilu. tv/). The original Kahilu.TV series promotes sustainability and focuses on growing traditional foods and cooking techniques. Eaeh episode will feature one of the five main food crops used throughout the Paeihe that ean be key building blocks for improving food security in Hawai'i: 'ulu (breadfruit), kalo (taro), uhi (yam), kapioka (tapioca), and 'uala (sweet potato). A person who grew up in a culture that relies heavily on the featured plant will share how the plants have been used over time, and then demonstrate several traditional ways of preparing it. The first episode is about 'ulu (breadfruit). The series' goal is to demonstrate how these plants ean eontribute directly to food security in Hawai'i. The show's motto, "sustainability starts small," encourages Hawai'i residents to grow some of the food they eat.B

Dr. Alika Maunakea - Photo: UH

Noelle M.K.Y. Kahanu - Photo: Brandyn Liu

Haunani Kane - Photo: Todd Glaser