Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, 1 September 1983 — Where There is Vision. There is Hope [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Where There is Vision. There is Hope

A conference on Crime, sponsored by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs was held September 16 and 17, 1983 at the Princess Kaiulani Hotel. lts theme, "Where There Is Vision There Is Life", was explored by a variety of speakers. Judge Barry Rubin began the conferenee with his enlightening talk on "assuring maximum education opportunities for Hawaiian children" a theme whieh was reinforced by Governor George Ariyoshi's comments on the affect of crime in Hawaii. Mrs. Ah Quon McElrath spoke emphatically on employment and what OHA shouid do to ensure maximum employment. All of this led up to remarks by Tr 'stee Thomas K. Kaulukukui following whieh he gave out pins whieh said "1 Care About Crime In Hawaii". On the second day, Mayor Eileen Anderson opened the program with remarks on how the City and County ean help reduce crime. Aunty Frenchy DeSoto spoke on "Promoting Opportunities for Strengthening Family Life" suggesting we examine root problems instead of addressing symptoms.

Senator Dante Carpenter's "Alterna- . zes to Incarceration" was directed at what O1! A'ō role should be in the area of crime. He focused on half-way houses, drug and aleohol abuse programs, assistance to inmates, and especially alternatives for youth. Four workshops discussed problems of Hawaiians involved in crime and »"'".rceration. The luneheon speaker, Judge Shunichi Kimura, held the one hundred thirty-five attendees spellbound with his forceful comments as to what OHA and the Hawaiian eommunity should do. He addressed the "have nots" of the Hawaiian population and the poor self-image some Hawaiians have of themselves. He asked what we are doing for ourselves, especially considering we make up about twenty percent of the state population, an enormous political potential whieh, if used properly, could be influential in putting more positive programs into effect that would help Hawaiians. He ended emotionally saying, "lt ean be done if eaeh of us will set a little bit of a higher expectation of ourselves".

Trustee Thomas K. Kaulukukui chats with Honolulu Mayor Eileen Anderson duringthe OHA sponsored Crime Conference.

T rustee Thomas K. Kaulukukui "1 care about crime in Hawaii."