Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 12, Number 8, 1 August 1995 — E Ola Mau replies [ARTICLE]

E Ola Mau replies

Trustee Billie Beamer's article in Ka Wai Ola (June 1995) titled "Senate Bill 1336 creates a haven for our caretakers, Hui 'Imi, the Self-appointed Incestuous Alii Nui Group" inaccurately states that "E Ola Mau and Papa Ola Lōkahi heakh entities received more than $13 million." E Ola Mau is a non-profit organization of native Hawaiian heakh care providers. Our membership consists of both western and traditional health care providers; kupuna lā'au lapa'au, nurses, physicians, social workers, health aides and others. Our mission is to ensure that native Hawaiians achieve lōkahi (the healthful harmony of mind, body and spirit, with oncself and all of nature) and function effectively as citizens and leaders in our 'āina. E Ola Mau assisted in writing the Native Hawaiian Heakh Care Act of 1988. E Ola Mau is one of ten members on the board of directors of Papa Ola Lōkahi, along with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. E Ola Mau has not

been a recipient of the $13 million in federal funds to whieh she refers (with the exception of matching funds from OHA and Papa Ola Lōkahi, in 1993, whieh were utilized to rededicate Lapakahi State Park for the use of traditional healers. We are funded by membership dues, private donations and loeal contracts and grants. E Ola Mau seeks to improve the health of native Hawaiians, an urgent but very difficult task. Mueh work has been done, but there is mueh more that needs to be done. We believe this is the time for all agencies interested in improving the heahh of native Hawaiians to work together to achieve this worthy goal. We invite Trustee Beamer, and any other intersted OHA representative to meet with us to discuss and share factual information about our organization. Chiyome Leina'ala Eukino, M.D. President, E Ola Mau