Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 16, Number 2, 1 February 1999 — Chairperson's message [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Chairperson's message

OHA moves forward

MAY I wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year, and weleome Kah Watson to OHA. I know he will be an asset and, with his expertise, I anticipate we will move through the ceded land negotiations smoothly. I have added to our support team Deputy Administrator Colin Kippen, a former judge for Native Americans. Building a competent support team empowers the board to move forward on behalf of Hawaiian beneficiaries. We will be negotiating dihgently with the govemor's team to ieaeh some agreement regarding the Heely decision. Formal talks resumed Jan. 8. While Attomey General Bronster indicates the state wants a global settlement of past and futuxe claims, OHA's attomey has informed the Supreme Court of the state's agreement to setde past claims before future ones. The state does not have the authority to resolve all ceded land claims, including

water, mineral, fishing and gathering rights currendy under the jurisdiction of other governmental bodies. OHA has always been ready and willing to negotiate with the state. Although the state's eeonomy may not be the best, the state cannnot abrogate on that basis its responsibihty to Hawaiians as the native and original people of these islands. OHA is willing to be creative and look at various forms of payment. There are many ways in whieh all parties may resolve these issues. It will take hard work, effort and dedication. I am confident that OHA will achieve the best and most expeditious result possible, given the complexity of the issues. On an unfortunate note , I would like to respond to Trustee Maehado's commenLs in last month's Ka Wai Ola: • Trustees were informed that office moves would take plaee

over a three to six day period, not in one day. • Because of a heated aigument involving threats between two ben-

eficiary groups in the OHA boardroom on Nov. 24, poliee o£ficers were present at the subsequent meeting to prevent dismption of board business and to reinstate

decorum. Additionally, pohee officers have been called when beneficiaries have threatened OHA staff. • Limiting testimony to agenda items during board meetings brings the board and community participants in eomphanee with the law. • "Authorized personnel" signs were installed becau.se unlimited public access to the OHA premises distracted staff and disrupted business. This is not allowed at the legislature, city eouneil or Boaid of īiducation. • While beneficiaries may reserve the Lih'uokalani conferenee room through the administrator, the board room is for board and committee meetings. Past misuse required restoration of the sohd koa conference table at substantial cost to beneficiaries. • The former board secretary suggested boardroom access be regulated to discourage pilfering. • The Budget and Finance Committee selects the budget analyst who is hired after board approval. Because this was not done, I requested a new RFP be

published for this position. I am sorry that Trustee Maehado finds it difficult to work with other board members. When offered the position of vice chair of the powerful Budget and Finance Committee and other committees, she declined. More recently, she was asked to head a task force of community professionals that would develop a plan for funding a kupuna health program. Unfortunately, Tmstee Machado has tumed down any position of responsibifity, saying she only wants to be a committee member. Regardless of the likes and dislikes of trastees, beneficiaries expect us to work on their behalf. On a positive note, I am hopeful that we will move forward in a productive manner that will improve the fives of beneficiaries significantly in 1999. 1 challenge all beneficiaries to be politically active so your rights and entitlements are not diminished. IMUA! Log on to OHA's web sites for a daily update (http://www.oha.org. or www.surf.to/rowenaakana). ■

[?]

TRUSTEE MESSAGES

[?]