Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, 1 January 1984 — HAWAIIAN FISHERMAN NOW SKIPPERS HIS OWN BOAT [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HAWAIIAN FISHERMAN NOW SKIPPERS HIS OWN BOAT

A life-long dream eame true for Honolulu fisherman Maka Ho'okala late last year when he took command of his own commercial fishing sampan, the 46 foot "Na Ali'i Kai." Primary funding for the boat purchase eame from a loan approved by the State Department of Planning and līeonomie Development's fishing vessel program. A secondary loan from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs insured that Mr. Ho'okala could meet requirements for his portion of the cost of acquiring and refurbishing the vessel. The OHA loan was extended in re-

sponse to Ho'okala's initiative, drive and determination to heeome the captain of his own boat. After 19 years of working for others, Ho'okala now runs his own vessel, llshing on a regular basis with a 4-man crew. OHA Resource Development Committee Vice-Chairman Rockne Freitas noted "The assistance provided by OHA is in keeping with our master plan mandate to promote self-deter-rnination and self-sufficiency among our beneficiaries."