Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 9, Number 6, 1 June 1992 — What's it all about? [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

What's it all about?

By Howena Akana Trustee at large

1 know it is dangerous to have preconceived ideas about anything. But, as I have said in several of my recent articles, one does not expect to find such disharmony in one's own house. By the time this eolumn goes to press, the board will probably have

already voted on whether to replace me as vice chair of the board, and the vote will probably have fallen against me. Out of respect to you, my constituents, I feel you have the right to understand what is occurring and why. First, let me say that the vice chair position is not the major issue here, it never has been. The position is more honorary than functional and has largely become symbolic of my struggle to restore order, justice, open forum, procedure and fair play to this office. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is a state agency and unfortunately, it falls prey to the faltering bureaucratic system of this country. As we have seen so many times this election year, the fail-

ures of that bureaucratic system are far surpassing the successes. I speak of the Los Angeles riots, the Congressional banking scandal, Hawaii's own legislature's first class travel fiasco. OHA is no different with inappropriate expenditure of funds, unaccountable and excessive overtime payments, special interest contracting, etc. Maybe I'm just a Pollyanna in believing the best of all things. I honestly ean say nothing could have prepared me for the degree of impropriety I feel I have encountered in this office. I am not a power monger nor am I politically ambitious, I just know that I thought I could make a difference for my people when I chose to run for this office two years ago. But backdoor, closed-door, behind-the-door deals were made long before I eame aboard and will, tragically, eonhnue (most likely) when I'm gone. State statutes, the people's right to know, and open meetings all seem a part of a fairy tale as private interest furthers its agenda at your expense, my friends. Important issues like Kohanaiki and the Waihe'e golf course may never see the pages of a BOT agenda as long as one person is permitted to create the monthly agenda. My major error was that I chose to "do the right thing." I called the administration on its inconsistencies, the unallotted hires, the closeddoor negotiations, the unaccountable expendi-

tures, the missing reports, the misuse of power, the flagrant disregard for board procedure and on and on and on. I refused to play ball in the old-boy-network and this is my punishment. Reduction of standing committees is before the board again. And guess whose committee is going to be cut? New "policies" that would restrict the movement of trustees are on the table, no doubt in response to my cry for open and fair government. So why do I continue to speak out? Maybe because I still believe in the job you put me here to do. I still believe I ean make a differenee for the good of the people. Besides, what could I possibly have to lose? The respect of my peers? I remember an old saying, "everyone has a pnee." I used to think that values, morals and conscience would always override such a negative idea. I suppose my little bubble has just burst. I do thank those trustees who had the courage to vote their conscience in spite of incredible internal pressure upon them to do otherwise. I hear from you all that you are disappointed with OHA and its laek of ability to create substantive programs for Hawaiians even after 10 years in service. I hear you and I am trying to Continued on page 22

Trustee Akana /romP»seI«

respond to your concerns and needs. As long as there is special-interest leadership, faltering administration and bold disregard for procedure in OHA. inadequacy will eonhnue to plague this office. this plaee that was supposed to bring hope to the Hawaiian people. Well, folks, 1 guess I've hit the glass ceiling, but that's okay, I ean still see the rainbow. 1 want to thank the many of you who have called to voice your support in my time of struggle. 1 am grateful and want you all to know that your support has been morally uplifting.

What's my next move? You tell me, you're my bo*ss. One thing I do know for sure is, I eall upon you to take the next step to tangible involvement in this organization. This sad state of affairs has occurred because the public has not kept a watchful eye on elected leaders. I am willing to eonhnue the struggle for open and fair government, but 1 neea your participation to heip make things better. Mahalo nui loa.