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

ʻ98 candidates in focus

Why do you want to be an OHA trustee? Since the 1996 OHA election, I have received numerous encouragement by letters, telephone calls and even where Hawaiians have personally eame up to me and begged me to "get back in OHA." What qualities would you bring to the position? The qualities I bring to OHA is the same as I had prior to the Machado/Ritte ambush. I have a special talent of recognizing rinky dink phonys who hang out at the OHA "trough," 71 1 Kapi'olani Blvd. What do you consider the most important issues confronting the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and/or the Hawaiian people? The most important issues confronting OHA and the Hawaiian people is the Why do you want to be an OHA trustee? I want to serve! As a kupuna, I want to be able to share my mana'o with all the people of Hawai'i, but especially with Native Hawaiians regarding our tireless plight for Hawaiian independence. What qualities would you bring to the position? Aloha starts here! I bring my experienee in union affairs for over 40 years where I worked for the betterment of the working classes. As an activist (acting to achieve poliūeal and social ends) in various Hawaiian causes dating back to the 1 940s, I feel I ean be effective. What do you consider the most important issues confronting the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and/or the Hawaiian people? I am William Kaumualii Montgomery, born in Niumalu, Kaua'i, and the son of Lucy Kahanu and Nane Montgomery. As a youngster, I grew up in Anahola, moved to Kapa'a after the start of World War II, and graduated from Kapa'a High School. After graduation I enlisted in the U. S. Army and served as a combat infantryman in the Korean War. Upon discharge, I attended the Church College of Hawai',i now known as Brigham Young University-Hawai'i Campus, where I received an associate of science degree. I attended BYU-Provo and received a bachelor of science degree in agricultural economics with a split minor in American history/political science. I was employed as a public school classroom teacher in the Torrance Unified School District, Torrance, California, teaching math, science, social studies and physical education at the 7th and 8th grade levels. After 1 8 years of teaching, we eame home. I was employed by the state as the assistant stadium events manager at the Aloha Stadium for 13 years until I retired. We live on Hawaiian homestead land in Waimānalo, O'ahu.

petty political Mickey Mouse games being played by the OHA trustees and this crooked state. As an OHA trustee how would you resolve those concerns? As an OHA trustee I woulel resolve this problem by taking no prisoners. If you could only accomplish one goal as an OHA trustee, what would it be? If I could accomplish one goal as an OHA trustee, it would be the education of the Kanaka Maoli people, that our American Haywaiians if given the opportunity to eat the pie by themselves, they would gobble up the whole pie in one bite. America will do its utmost to block Hawaiians from having true sovereignty. Our people have to wake up and smell the pua kenikeni! Samuel L. Kealoha Jr. ■ Our land base. Our monetary status (equitable amounts for all the people). Educating the mākua, 'ōpio and kūpuna in all aspects pertaining to language, eulture and governance. As an OHA trustee, how would you resolve those concerns? Negotiate all matters stated above with fellow trustees with an open mind, with respect and protocol based on our lifestyle and culture to include ho'oponopono. If you could only accomplish one goal as an OHA trustee, what would it be? To unite Hawaiians through educatiōn in law, political processes, etc. To my constituents. In addressing all ocean-related services like eanoe clubs, charter boat services, fisheries, diving concerns, etc. I would like to ask you to I would like to share some thoughts with you on why I am seeking a position as trustee. TRUST: In my journey through life I have been entrusted with responsibilities that have impacted my life, my family, and others around me. For instance: elected student body president at Church College of Hawai'i; elected president of the Hawaiian Club (BYU-Provo); elected board of directors (Kama'āina Club of Orange County); elected board of directors (Santa Ana College Volleyball Boosters Club); Elected President, AFSCME loeal (TTREO-Torrance Recreation Recurring Employees Organization) etc. However, I need to acknowledge the trust shown me by my wife of over 40 years, Gladys Kananiokamaluhia Moikeha of Maui. LEADERSHIP: A leader leads. He/she "fights" on behalf of those whom he/she leads. I don't have to lie. I don't have any political friends. I don't have any political ambitions. I AM HAWAIIAN: I don't speak the Hawaiian language although I am a 50 percent or more blood quantum. I grew up when the language was "not appropri-

e im i m 11 1 ■• wēIM i ff€ €m « ' ■ T ^ „ V |t '• i§§ f ^ ';'^t " \Vm i i i " .i w i t - I ■ K 1p-tI m '■ 1 * * y,.. ! im «I eome together under one umbrella called "'ohana o ke kai" (family of the sea). Another focus is to acquire land-based leases on eaeh and every island within training distances keeping in mind the importance of parking, access, utilities and how to acquire funding to perpetuate the eanoe paddling art with a mind toward the olympics. One project is to encourage participation in the Queen Lili'uokalani long distance race to include the various clubs from other countries including Tahiti, America, New Zealand. Australia and many other points beyond. Other competitivc water sports shouid be considcred. Funding for these and/or all other projects is an important issue — - that's what OHA ean do to assist. ■ ■: :< ?• 4 ■ ■ % 1 Now what has all this to do with my candidacy for trustee at large? I have not talked about issues. The issues havc been with us for a long time Education. self rule, homes, employment, what/who is Hawaiian, blood quantum. reparations, etc. A lot of progress has been made; more is yet to eome. What 1 bring to OHA is a style. The media pounces on the supposed manner in whieh meetings are held. We read about factions, aggressive verbal exchanges, name-calling, etc. during board meetings. That is a bad rap for us. I have respect for eaeh other's "mana." Eaeh of us possess it. We should accentuate the positive, appreciate eaeh olher, and together, go forward with the work before us. I weleome the opportunity to be a part of it. When you enter the polling booth on Eleeūon Day, you will be selecting three (3) candidates for trustee at large. If it is within your heart, I would appreciate it if you would make me your third (3rd) selection. A NEW NAME, A NEW FACE. MONTGOMERY, Bill Kaumualii • Mahalo nui loa ... hui hou ... mālama pono. ; ■

Samuel L. KealohaJr. At-Large

Henrv K. "Hank" Kekai At-Large

,1. Bill Kaumuali'i Montgomery At-Large