Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 17, Number 11, 1 November 2000 — A Hawaiian perspective [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A Hawaiian perspective

ALOHA MAI kākou. It is with a humble heart that I send this message of aloha and introduction. I am Jean Ileialoha Keale Beniamina, born and raised on Ni'ihau and currently residing on Kaua'i. I am the nieee of the

late OHA trustee Moke Keale. As you may have heard, the govemor recently appointed me interim trastee representing the islands of Ni'ihau and Kaua'i on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trastees. I am very happy to accept this eall to serve our people. I am pure Hawaiian and a fluent speaker of Hawaiian. Like all Ni'ihau people, traditions of the 'āina and 'ohana are part of my identity and being. I graduated from the Kamehameha Schools, then obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Hawai'i at Hilo, a teaching

certificate, and, later, graduate work. I am a counselor and professor of Hawaiian Studies at Kaua'i Community College and have also served on many community organizations related to Hawaiian issues. I believe that I've been called to the OHA position at this time of my life because there is a need at OHA for my perspective as a Hawaiian who is rooted in the traditions of

our people - traditions that recognize a higher power when all else humanly possible is exhausted; traditions that require a ha'aha'a (humble) approach to the sensitivities of our people; traditions that predict that through wiwo 'ole (wisdom,) justice will be realized for Hawai'i's oeoole and

culture. I believe that being fully immersed in these traditions, I ean use them for the betterment of the Hawaiian people and for all those who eall Hawai'i home. It is my sincere goal to serve the beneficiaries of Kaua'i, Ni'ihau and the whole island ehain to the utmost of my abilities. With this in mind, I make myself available to hear your mana'o on issues that affect our community. I look forward to working with you in advancing our

Hawaiian community. As is part of my Hawaiian upbringing, I wish to wehe (open) the door for dialogue between you and me with this letter of introduction. Therefore, e komo mai, e kipa mai, let's "talk story." Na'u me ka 'oia'i'o, Jean Ileialoha Keale Beniamina. ■

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TRUSTEE MESSAGES

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