Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 15, Number 10, 1 October 1998 — ʻ98 candidates in focus [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ʻ98 candidates in focus

The views and opinions expressed in '98 candidates infocus are of the individual candidates and do not necessarily reflect those of the Offīce of Hawaiian Affairs. M cfc S1

Why do you want to be an OHA trustee? I believe we have separated ourselves from God and there is a need to eome back to Thee. We have tried man's way with no growth. I strongly believe with God's blessings and protection I ean be an instrument in bringing back lōkahi in working together with other elected trustees. As a high priest in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1 bring the keys of perseverance needed to fulfill the mission statement of OHA. What qualities would you bring to the position? B.A. Major: political science; minor: pre-law; legal assistant degree; major: I paralegal; Master's of Public Heakh. Ironworkers' Union Loeal 625. Retired sergeant first class, United States Army Reserve, six years. Assistant liaison officer, Detention Home. Neighbor Helping Neighbor Project. Senate Judiciary Committee; Senator Tony Chang. Vol-

unteer at OHA, four years. Ho'olomilomi healer certified by Papa Kalua Kaiahua What do you consider the most important issues confronting the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and/or the Hawaiian people? Ea, sovereignty. I firmly believe after regaining our self-determination, selfgovernment, self-esteem, self-identifica-tion and our Hawaiian nationality, kanaka maoli and American citizenship, that will solve all the healing of our spiritual, physical and mental trials and tribulations we had to endure. As an OHA trustee, how would you resolve those concerns? By having workshops of reeducating our kanaka maoli about the laws, their health, culture, their God, their life styles. For example, I hail from Papakōlea. I would get on their agenda during their community meetings and

1 illll initiate programs helpful for everyone. Have experts in drugs, drinking. abuse, crime and federally funded programs get on the agenda. To give our young kanaka maoli an opportunity to make decisions for themselves that a lot of us did not. To eliminate fears through education and re-education. 1 lf you could only accompiish one goal as an OHA trustee, what would it be? I believe I would like to use my ho'olomilomi achievement by teaching the young kanaka maoli to help the kupuna. To get on the agenda of every community meeting and introduce programs in healing. To work with kanaka maoli that are Christlike. Those that are willing to endure this task must have a King James Bible. No smoking, drinking, drugs or any forms of abuse. ■ ■ < i •' * * *«> 3ĒBē '

Why do you want to be an OHA trustee? Since 1978, 1 hoped that something of significance would occur to make the Hawaiian people feel pride and respect for this organization. After all, this was the first time the Hawaiians had an arm for the collection of land, monies, and service for the Hawaiian people. However, this has been a long time coming because of the many problems year after year ignored or abandoned. Our people have lost faith and rightfully so. I would like to make the many changes that have gone unheeded. First, the staff and facilities have increased while services have not. Second, the lines of communication are non-existent with the Hawaiian eommunity. A monthly newspaper is not sufficient. Many are in the dark about what OHA does, or what to expect from OHA. Third, what exactly are the monies collected from all the sources to be used for? Right now, the Hawaiians know that it is being invested, but to what end? My job will be to make everyone know what is happening. What qualities would you bring to the position? The qualities I would bring to the position is the fact that I have a deep and abiding love for the Hawaiian people. I have graduated from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa with a degree in eommunications and believe that will help in improving relations with our community. I am a people-person who enjoys talking

and listening to Hawaiians. Power for self, poliūeal obligations, and kingdom building is not part of my make-up. My past experiences show that I ean operate a multi-million dollar program, supervise persons statewide, and deal with people locally, nationally or internationally. I am an advocate and a hard worker. What do you consider the most important issues confronting the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and/or the Hawaiian peopie? The Hawaiians want to know where the monies collected are going. They realize that it is being invested, but for what purpose? Many do note receive the loans they were told was available to them; many do not get the scholarships they were told was available; people with Hawaiian Homes problems did not get the help they need; the Hawaiian people need help with literacy, education, human services are not available by the state; many are homeless and hungry; children and teens need after-school care, dental and medical services; the elderly need day care services because it is too expensive in the larger eommunity.; What stand is OHA taking regarding sovereignty? It would seem a more direct leadership role should be taken. These and many more questions need to be addressed by the trustees. As an OHA trustee, how would you resolve those concerns? One of the things I would do immedi-

3 w 1 „••• , 1 1 ■ '•! : /'illi i \ ately is eall for an audit of the entire program. Eaeh staff member would have to justify their job and the relationship to the service of the Hawaiian people. Then a review of the programs goals and objectives with an eye to 1 999 and the future. Then, a eall for new programs such as mobile dental/medical services. a training program for Native Hawaiians who want to start businesses for themselves, for the elderly day care, after school programs for children and teens, and provide special tutoring programs for literacy, G.E.D., and counseling for higher education. 1 would ask for approval to spend one half of one percent on outreach, food, and housing for the Hawaiian homeless, elderly and destitute. I would eall for a review of the employment programs and increase small business opportunities such as fishing programs. arts and crafts production. agri-business, cultural programs, etc. S v lf t «Sfl • *J 1 lf you could only accomplish one goal as an OHA trustee, what would it be? If I could do only one thing as an OHA trustee, I would serve the Hawaiians in the best way I ean. By being the one person that they could count on for help, for listening to their problems, and trying to solve them as efficiently as possible, by showing my pride in being a true ! Hawaiian. The Hawaiian people must eome first, but it has not happened yet. I want to be the one who does accomplish that one goal. m ■ ^ ^ I J

Lovell F. Kaleikini At-Large

Virginia Halemano Kalua At-Large ■