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 Office of Hawaiian Affairs. is %%% r - 4. % % S UK' I ' . .

Why do you want to be an OHA trustee? To better the condition of, services and benefits to, all Hawaiians. What qualities would you bring to the position? Knowledge of land title research, knowledge of land laws, 20 years expertise in legal and political research documents to elaim our rightful inheritance. What do you consider the most important issues confronting the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and/or the Hawaiian people?

Land inventory, eeonomie development, homeless and/or hidden, employment. As an OHA trustee, how would you resolve those concerns? Management, returned federal lands, Barbers Point Naval Base, 'Iolani Palaee, Sand Island, Honolulu Airport, Diamond Head, military lands. If you could only accomplish one goal as an OHA trustee, what would it be? Better quality of living for all beneficiaries. ■

Mahalo piha iā kākou pākahi a pau. Thank you for the privilege of serving you. Rather than using this space to "blow my own hom" about running for OHA, I thought it would be better to share what others have written to me over time regarding OHA's work. As OHA tmstees, we get caught up in debates in the decision-making process, often forgetting to take time to appreciate those whom we are privileged to serve. The following is a slice of why I proudly serve as an OHA trustee: Eleanor Kalawai 'a Ahuna of Hilo wrote, "Mahalo for your strong stands on land issues as I see on TV and read about in Ka Wai Ola o OHA. I believe, like you, that we must regain all that is Hawai'i's, and I write to thank you for your good work." Tehawanase Webster, also of Hilo, wrote, "Thank you for the $1 ,000 for the houseless Hawaiian educational materials." Frances Dinnan of Kaua'i wrote thanking OHA for supporting the Statewide Hawaiian Language Immersion Family Retreat. "Without OHA's grant assistance, our event would not have gone as smoothly. Those of us involved in

Hawaiian language immersion programs now share a different perception of OHA's ability to help the Hawaiian people." It is wonderful to fmally have the resources to help organizations and eommunity groups who have long labored on their own - with little to no assistance - on behalf of our people. But even more rewarding and touching are the opportunities to aid our fellow Hawaiians on an individual basis, especially our 'ōpio, our future. Malia Akutagawa, a student while I was a school teacher on Moloka'i, wrote in February of 1992 to thank OHA for her $2,000 college scholarship. At that time she wrote, "I am now a junior majoring in chemistry, biology, and philosophy (at Whitworth College). I plan to return to Hawai'i and be an environmental lawyer to address environmental problems existing at home, issues of land and water use, and Native Hawaiian land rights. Your financial assistance provides me with the means to fulfill my goals." Shirleen Simons of Puna, through OHA assistance, attended "Operation Enterprise" at the Girl Scout National Headquarters in New York City in 1992. After her experience, she wrote, "Being

on my own and seeing the world gave me the desire to see and do more. Now I'm considering going to a mainland eollege. Thanks to your generosity and belief in me, I had the most exciting time of my life. The experience has given me some new goals in life." But of all the letters, notes and expressions of gratitude I have received in the past, none has touched me more than that of the Freitas family of Waialua, with a simple thank-you for OHA's grant for living and household expenses. "I was about to give up on everything, after being turned down from so many people and organizations. But it's times like these that put the fire back on. When we got your letter, I cried because I now know there are still people in the world today who care. I was brought up to help whoever needs help if I could be of any help to them. So I want to thank you again for everything you and your organization has done for us." Signed Wesley, Lanelle, Ofivia and Shardane Freitas. While there is so mueh more to be done, it's also important to thank those who took time to make our days a little brighter and my resolve to serve you so mueh stronger. Mahalo piha iā 'oukou a pau. ■

Reginald Kauikeakalani Ilao O'ahu , K|i ^

Clayton Hee O'ahu