Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 12, Number 3, 1 March 1995 — Hawaiian Homes -- new leadership and direction [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaiian Homes -- new leadership and direction

by Moanike'ala Akaka Trustee, Hawai'i The appointment of Attorney Kali Watson by Governor Ben Cayetano brings

hope and a change of attitude to the administration of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Without being overly optimistic, I feel a refreshing change of priorities lacking in most past administrations that have contributed to the frustration and distrust by DHHL beneficiaries towards the department, will now be made right and many more Hawaiians will get off

the waiting list and on to the 'āina. Certainly running the DHHL is no simple matter; they are burdened with the tremendous responsibility enmeshed in State and

Federal guidelines and laws that have encumbered the process to where we find it as Watson takes command. Raised in Public Housing, Watson understands the frustration of day to day survival

for many of our people. On Jan. 10, in the Honolulu Advertiser, he stated "If we ean get Hawaiians off welfare, help keep family units intact, we'll have less crime, less abuse of children and women, fewer health problems and less civil disorders within the Hawaiian eommunity. These Hawaiians oeeupying beaches and homelands, in a way (they) are ask-

ing for help." Kali feels providing Hawaiians housing is crucial and "is not just a Hawaiian issue; it is important to realize that helping Native Hawaiians will

help everyone." Just before leaving office, John Waihe'e negotiated that DHHL should receive $600 million over 20 years, $30 million annually from the State. However, the Legislature

must agree to this funding. Governor Cayetano supports creating a bond to pay this debt. Money is desperately needed to provide infrastructure, roads and water to "unimproved" lots DHHL awarded to our people. Representative Calvin Say, House Finance Chair (586-6200) seems very mueh against funding. Senator Donna

Ikeda, Senate Finance Chair (586-6690) is also hesitant. Please contact both Legislators and encourage them to fund the DHHL request. Your kōkua is needed! Though new in office, Watson is trying to make a difference. At Puhi Bay end of last year, the outgoing Administration threatened to file charges against Daisy Spalding again for trespassing despite the fact that last year Judge Amano's court found her "not guilty." Watson has told me that he is not interested in arresting the Spaldings at Puhi Bay and sees the mer-

its of community efforts to plan and build a pavilion and is willing to negotiate - a possible "win-win" situation. This capacity to incorporate grassroots activities is vital to improving the overall condition of Hawaiians. At Maku'u in Puna, DHHL families received leases a decade ago and are still waiting for water and roads. Some Lessees were tired of waiting and started building their homes, adding tanks to catch water. Several years ago, funds were allocated for water to be hooked up to the County; DHHL, however, spend the kālā on other projects. Now families are told it would cost over $6 million to drill a well and eonnect water; DHHL can't afford it. Hawai'i Tribune Herald (Jan. 15) stated families were to be moved from Maku'u to other areas closer to existing infrastructure. Nā 'Ohana who struggled to build their homes were rightfully angered to hear they

would be removed. In speaking with Watson, he assured me that no one would be forced out of Maku'u and those who choose to rely on catchment water (as do families throughout Puna) may stay. We look forward to this breath of openness and willingness to work with our people via this new administration; surely, positive steps in improving the conditions for our people are at hand. Advances are being made amongst us Hawaiians. Many long overdue changes are being implemented and perhaps someday soon we will replace the belief that Hawaiians are like crabs in a bucket pulling all to the bottom, with the reality that Hawaiians are working together to uplift eaeh and everyone. Mālama pono. Ua mau ke ea o ka 'āina i ka pono.

This capacity to incorporate grassroots activities is vital to improving the overall condition of Hawaiians.