Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 17, Number 11, 1 November 2000 — Asense of place, family, responsibility [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Asense of place, family, responsibility

OUR FAMILY proudly traces its Hawaiian roots beyond 1801 and to the unions of Kai'o and Kaha'ionakolo at Kōloa, on the northernmost island of Kaua'i,

sioned an ensign in the United States Navy Reserve. I'm happily married to the former Olan Peltier of Honolulu. We've both been blessed over 42 years with four

as well as Papapa and Kamalu Lono at Kalapana, on the southernmost island of Hawai'i. I was bom and reared on O'ahu, and grew up mostly in Damon Tract and Kalihi, as the second son of Vemon Forest Carpenter of Texas and Louise Pōmaika'i Kakelaka of Honolulu. I attended Kamehameha Schools, graduat-

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wonderful children and 1 1 beautiful mo'opuna representing virtually every major ethnic group in Hawai'i today. • Dante Kealalani - Kamehameha '76, UH Hilo - Bus. Administration - Retail Management • Carla Carpen-ter-Kabalis - Kamehameha '78, UH Hilo - BA - Elderly Services • Darren Hōkūao

ed from Roosevelt High, then the United States Merchant Marine Academy, at Kings Point, in New York. From the USMMA, I received a degree in Marine Engineering, a U.S. Coast Guard License as a 3rd Assistant Engineer of steam & motor vessels, any horsepower, and was commis-

- Kamehameha '79, UH Manoa - BS - Civil Engineer • Dee-Ann Carpenter-Yoshino - St. Joseph H.S. '81, UH Mānoa - BA,John A. Burns School of Medieine - Physician (Intemal Medieine). See CARPENTER on page 7

CARPENTER From page 6

So what does my ancestry and family have to do with the job of an OHA trustee? I believe it has everything to do with it! I'm hterally surrounded by native Hawaiians and Hawaiians as a living part of my everyday associations. Moreover, I firmly believe being a keiki o ka 'āina carries a special responsibihty in the broadest sense. Not only does it give me a sense of plaee, but certainly, within my immediate family, a greater appreciation for the very purposes of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. līiose purposes are clearly articulated in the Hawai'i Revised Statutes, Chapter 10, Section 3, and briefly are: "for the betterment of conditions of native Hawaiians and Hawaiians; servine as the principal pubhc agency of the state for programs; assessing policies and practices of other agencies including advocacy efforts; applying for and disbursing grants; and serving as a receptacle for reparations." Though I have been involved in elective politics for many years, the role of trustee carries a heavier responsibihty. A trustee has a fiduciary duty: a duty to act for someone else's benefit, while subordinating one's personal interest to that of the other person. It is the highest standard of duty implied by law. During the past several weeks, the board's

primary eoneem has been to assure the smooth flow of activities of OHA during the transition until the general eleehon. Your board of tmstees has been involved with review and actions regarding: • BOT & Administration operational oversight • Trust & operations budget analysis and spending pohcies • Trust fund portfolio and investment pohcies • The Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan fund • Site visits to Hawaiian Language Immersion Schools • The Reconcihation Report entitled "Mauka to Makai" • Contracts for services & lawsuits affecting OHA • Exploration of beneficiary projects such as banks & property acquisition In conclusion, there is still mueh to leam and do. I've enjoyed immensely this association with these dedicated individuals presently serving on the board. I wish them all well in their future endeavors. But the future is really in your hands, as it should be. This is our time. Please execute your right to vote judiciously. Me ke aloha pumehana. ■

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TRUSTEE MESSAGES