Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 10, Number 11, 1 November 1999 — Bishop trustees [ARTICLE]

Bishop trustees

I was outraged reading the Associated Press article regarding the use of Bishop Estate funds for a study to move the estate's headquarters out of Hawai'i and convert it to a for-profit corporation. The idea that Wong, Peters and Lokelani sought legal help should be considered a blatant attack on the trust, the Kamehameha Schools and all Hawaiians. It is embarrassing to me as a Hawaiian that this great legacy has been desecrated by the ousted trustees' actions. The inclusion of John Waihe'e's law firm causes me to be wary of his loyalties. OHA should review the process behind this and share the results with the Hawaiian community. Hawaiians should be vigilant of those who would trade their birthright for financial gain. Further, if the ousted trustees did conduct themselves this way, OHA should censure them, bar them from OHA activities and ostracize and ridicule them. In ancient Hawai'i such actions would have been dealt with more severely. While I reside on the mainland, I never forget I am Hawaiian. My mother and aunt (of the Farden family) and I were direct beneficiaries of the Bishop Estate. Part of the legacy is to protect my heritage. Bastel Bekeart Bastel @ ix. netcom. eom

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