Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 37, Number 7, 1 July 2020 — AKINA, Keli'i [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

AKINA, Keli'i

Nonpartisan Special AGE: 62 O OHA Trustee-at-Large and President/CE0, Grassroot lnstitute of Hawai'i © wkakina@gmail.com www kpliiakina nnm

1. Research shows that Hawaiians consider housing, ineome, and healthcare to be among their three greatest needs. With the Coronavirus crisis, these needs i have intensified. That is why I have pushed OHA to focus on meeting basic

needs rather than on pursuing controversial political agendas. As a Trustee, I initiated a three-point plan to develop the land and resources of OHA's trust to meet the needs of Hawaiians: 1) Protect the Trust through audits and sound fiscal policy; 2) Grow the Trust by developing Kaka'ako Makai and other properties; and, 3) Use the Trust for real 'bread and butter' needs of beneficiaries, especially those in poverty. 2. When I heeame a trustee in 2016, the skill I used was the ability to stand up and challenge the system. I fought on behalf of beneficiaries to rid OHA of fraud, waste, and abuse. Despite opposition, I ehampioned a historic independent audit whieh is now the blueprint for change. And to set an example, I refused to accept personal Trustee Allowanee funds until needed reforms were made. The board unanimously approved my independent audit proposal and has now adopted policies for Ananeial reform whieh I proposed when first elected. These measures show my other skill of cooperating with fellow trustees toward positive outcomes. 3. OHA must foster a shared commitment between Hawaiians who oppose the construction of the TMT on Maunakea and those who support it. That shared commitment is to practice the value of Mālama 'Āina by ensuring pono (proper and sustainable) management of the Mauna. With pono management, there is room for both the scientific and the sacred. OHA's litigation and negotiation efforts are an important part of the process, but OHA must also provide the leadership needed to end the rift between fellow Hawaiians whieh threatens the peaee and possibilities of Maunakea.