Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 17, Number 10, 1 October 2000 — ELECTION 2000 [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ELECTION 2000

'Olelo na moho OHA - OHA candidates soeak £$-?>

Election 2000 is a Ka Wai Ola o OHA forum to whieh all OHA candidates were invited, free of charge. Letters were sent to eaeh candidate, giving them the opportunity to publish information on themselves by sending narratives and/or answering questions that would provide our readers pertinent information. Photographs were also requested. Of the 96 candidates running for the nine open seats on the OHA board, we received 79 responses. Read eaeh submission throughout this issue of Ka Wai Ola o OHA, and all other materials that will help you make informed choices at the Nov. 7 general election. E heluhelu mai 'oukou...

( i / w». The views and opinions expressed in the [~ Eleelion 2000 «orum are o, the indivldual -| CandjdatGS R U H H Ī H O AMa^O^ candidates and do not necessarily reflect wv<l ^ v*vt * IMI J J w those of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. I SE AT | 4-YE AR TERM 1 1 a • wBBsm

Darrow Aiona

Retired after 29 years as a professor of sociology, religion, and Hawaiian studies at Leeward Community College and 22 years as an elected member of the Board of Education, I am now pastor of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Kapahulu. Raised on the Waimānalo Homestead and educated on scholarships at 'Iolani School, the University of Hawai'i, Auckland Uni-

versity (N.Z.) and Divinity School, Berkeley, California. I was an early activist in the '60s along with Pae Galdeira, the late Georgiana Padeken, Sonny Kaniho and others, challenging our state government in opening up more Homestead lands. In my recent past I have worked very diligently in opening up the public school system to meet the needs of all Hawaiians. As a silent Hawaiian who has sat down

and watched younger colleagues carry on the Hawaiian torch, I feel that I have mueh to offer in this sinister social environment that we Hawaiians are faced with. The integrity of all our ali'i given rights, resources, and entitlements are being scrutinized and are in danger of being challenged. I will fight all challenges and protect them. I am obiigated to no one except the needs of our Hawaiian people. I

will stand firm on the negotiations of ceded lands. The OHA Board must take the initiative in working together collectively and make every effort to bring the Hawaiian Community together. I am willing to be a partner in cooperation and working as a unified 'ohana. Mahalo for your vote.

Lucy Akau

My name is Lucy Mia Akau. born 1928 and raised in Honolulu. Connected 'ohana are from Honokua, Mountain View in Hiio, Kaua'i and Maui. I graduated from McKinley High School in 1946. worked for Inter-Island Steam Navigation Co. after graduation for five years and married the late Robert Akau in 1951. I worked for the state government and retired after 26 years. I have raised five children, four graduated from Kamehameha Schools and one from Kailua High School. All are grown up, working, own their own homes and are raising their own families. Volunteering years: Act IV under the Hawaiian Home Lands, Waimānalo Hawaiian Homestead association. Director, publicity, tax exceptions,

kupuna housing in Waimānalo, King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, Kamehameha Schools Band Parent Booster and Rifle Team. Kaumakapili Church outreach ministries, giving out food and clothing for the needy, elders and homeless people from the leeward, windward and town areas. Volunteer in serving dinner at he River of Life at least onee a month and helping with the Hawai'i Food Bank collecting food items. This is an ongoing commitment in serving the people. Why do you want to be an OHA trustee? As a trustee, I would like to aeeomplish a better understanding of what

OHA represents to the communities. What qualities would you bring to the position? Honoring the traditions of our past and present histories; working, planning and finding solutions to our problems; education through music, Hawaiian language, arts and crafts, high-tech engineering. Being respectful to eaeh other in words and deeds. What do you consider the most important issues confronting OHA and/or the Hawaiian peopie? The most important issues are Hawaiian lands (ceded, crown, Bishop and all lands) drugs, housing, education. prison system and banking.

As an OHA trustee, how would you resolve those concerns? To resolve these concerns, I, as an OHA trustee, would have open communication with all community organizations. If you could only accomplish one goal as an OHA trustee, what would it be? As an OHA trustee, my one goal would be to have a better eommunication between OHA and the people in working toward a better Hawai'i.

Les Among

|f I'm elected to OHA. this is what my āgenda for Hawaiians would be: • Tax incentives to encourage new business creation on Hawaiian Homelands and in the business districts of our great state. • Advanced healthcare initiatives for Hawaiians seeking coverage under state programs. Expanded education tuition waiver plans. OHA and Alu Like must play a bigger role in keeping our brightest students here instead of seeking out schools in other states. • Increased agriculture and fishery

commerce to create jobs for Hawaiians and to build on a better economy for the people of Hawai'i. • Establishment of emergency housing facilities and funds for homeless Hawaiians and there families. • I support federal recognition of indigenous Hawaiians. We must have representation in Washington to move on to very important issues concerning Hawaiians. The bill recently introduced in the United States Congress will provide Hawaiians with formal political status as the indigenous people of the islands. Native American tribes and

Alaska native groups have received this recognition. I have served on the Waikiki Neighborhood Board for six years, and am serving my third term. I have voted on issues of great importance in my district such as: • The Hawai'i Convention Center to bring revenues from conventions in our state. The Waikīkī special district to renovate and beautify Hawai'i's eeonomie heart. The Historic Trail of Waikīkī with Hawai'i's history for tourists to learn our culture. • The Statues of David Kalākaua, Princess Ka'iulani. Duke

Kahanamoku, Alfred Apaka all give Waikīkī that Hawaiian sense of plaee. Voting for new businesses to eome into Waikīkī and create jobs for the people of Hawai'i. I am 40 years old and have a beautiful 5-year-old daughter who loves Hawai'i. My record of votes are at city hall at the neighborhood boards commissions office. I invite all to see my record. I have the experienee and passion to do the right thing for the people of Hawai'i. I ask for your vote for Office of Hawaiian Affairs, trustee at-large thank you and god bless you all.