Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 10, Number 7, 1 July 1993 — OHA is for our youth [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA is for our youth

by the Rev. Moses K. Keale, Sr. Trustee, Kaua'i & Ni'ihau Every year at this time, in the month of July, my spirits are usually at an all-time high. Nothing is more exhilarating and exciting than being part of a great success

story. Our world is so full of despair and impediments that good news is always weleome. For the sixth eonsecutive year OHA has sponsored and completed an annual leadership conferenee for our young

Hawaiian leaders ('Aha 'Ōpio). We could not have completed our work without the active partnership of our most revered Hawaiian organizations, such as

the Royal Order of Kamehameha and its women, the Ka'ahumanu Society; Hale O Nā Ali'i, the Daughters and Sons of Hawaiian Warriors, the many members of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs and the Daughters of Hawai'i.

Uur thanks go also to the many loyal volunteers and, of course, to the students themselves. A fine example is Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Kaauwai from ŌHA's second

'Ōpio class (1989). He was elected youth governor and, from his experience in this Hawaiian youth legislature, he went on to Boston University in Massachusetts with a wealth of

knowledge. He returns eaeh year, not only to visit his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Kaauwai of Kapa'a, Kaua'i, but also to help out in the 'Aha 'Ōpio program. While many detractors criticize

OHA for its laek of programs and assistance, I offer you the shining success of at least one of several examples of the positive work done by our education division.

My motto has always been "For Our Youth," and I am proud of the work done by our education division's three staff members who accomplish mueh because they inspire so many others to volunteer their time and talents to our worthy projects. Ultimately, the beneficiaries of these programs are our youth, who in turn will return to serve our Hawaiian community with a true spirit and dedication to our people. It was several years ago that our young men and women passed their own legislation on obtaining more tuition waivers from the University of Hawai'i, and today we ean proudly point to the increase in the number of tuition waivers for Hawaiians, not only at the University of Hawai'i-Mānoa, but at all eolleges in the University system.

This was the result of their actively lobbying with the Hawaiian civic clubs and royal societies who in tum brought this matter to the atfention of the Legislature. And u result was the increase of 25. uition waivers. You see, the 'em works and ean be made to » for you. But you must partic pate! We must be partners, you and T in the betterment of the conditions of our Hawaiian people. Our education programs prove that this partnership works. Now let us join hearts and spirits in new projects. I urge you to cor tact me and tell me what you would like me to pursue. Let us enter into a partnership and repeat the success story of our productive education programs.

For the sixth consecutive year OHA has sponsored and eompleted an annual leadership conferenee for our young Hawaiian leaders.