Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 1, Number 1, 1 June 1981 — Trustees Participate In Rap Session In Waianae [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Trustees Participate In Rap Session In Waianae

Trustees A. Frenchy DeSoto and Thomas K. Kaulukukui, Sr. joined a group of concerned citizens in Waianae on May 27 to participate in a "Talk Story" session dealing with various Hawaiian issues, The session lasted all day and started off with five speakers giving ten minute presentations on the main topics of economics, justice, land, health and education. Then the group broke up into smaller workshops to discuss these individual topics. Eaeh workshop eame up with a report that was then presented in the afternoon to the whole group.

Trustee Kaulukukui joined the session on the Justice System, where they discussed various aspects related to crime. There was general agreement that programs needed to be implemented that would keep Hawaiians out of Oahu Prison. "If we're concerned about the crime statistics of Hawaiians, we need to get in at an early level and teach our children respect — respect for others, respect for themselves and respect for property," Trustee Kaulukukui explained. We're also eoncerned about Hawaiians who are in prison now," he added. "Rehabilitation programs for prisoners are also important." Thus the issue of acquiring jobs for the prison population and vocational education to prepare them for these jobs was also stressed. Unele Tommy sees a real need for OHA to address itself to the issue of crime and to take positive steps to reduce the number of crimes committed by Hawaiians.

Governor George R. Ariyoshi signed House Bill 511 giving long-term leases to Maunalaha Valley residents as community friends and supporters look on. Photo by G regg Hirata.