Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 17, Number 12, 1 December 2000 — OHA's recent history, for the record [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA's recent history, for the record

ALOHA NUI kākou, e nā 'ōiwi o Hawai'i. The following is the text of my trustee article # 45 of 46 that would have been published in the October Ka Wai Ola. It had been written to provide reason and explanation for trustees resignations on Sept.

8. Unfortunately, due to OHA administrative decisions, my article was eliminated and not published . With the 60 davs nnw behind

us, we have successfully bridged the OHA 2000 election and stand ready to get back to work. Even though the "news" is old, I share the mana'o so that our readers 1) will understand what was in our minds on Sept. 8 during that time of turmoil; 2) will be reminded of the trials and tribulations imposed by both the system as well as political manipulation that we have overcome: and. 3) will

stay closely tuned in to OHA as we move forward in 2001. The following are excerpts ffom a joint statement to

the press on Sept. 8 by Trustee Apoliona, Machado and Cataluna the day that all OHA trustees resigned.

"As Hawaiians and as a community, we are at a crossroads. We face potential loss of control of our resources and our ability to control our destinies. "With sadness, but in unity with our fellow trustees, we are resigning from our office effec-

tive today. This decision has been a difficult one, and we do so with great humilitv and comnassion

for the Native Hawaiian people and the trust we represent. "While there are many uncertainties, what is certain is that in 50 days there will be an election of OHA Trustees. By the actions taken today our resignations, we are assuring that there will be a ehanee for voters to elect all nine trustees, and

for any appointment to last no longer than election day. "It is unfortunate that we are forced

to choose this path and resign. There was hope that OHA and the Govemor could resolve these post-Rice

problems together. Sadly, that has not been the case. "As Trustees, we feel a duty to resign to prevent prolonged legal wrangling and further opportunities for those who are intent on dismantling Native Hawaiian

entitlements and trust assets. "OHA Trustees have always stood firm in upholding the principle of ehoiee by the people. Today, we must emphasize that the electoral process is the only way to cure the pain and suffering. The issue crnhi=*rncil"ciri q1 annninfmpnt chr»n1H

VI w,U WI llUl VI 1U1 U^^VI11UUVI11 JI1UU1U never overshadow the right of the people to choose representatives of this tmst." On Nov. 7, the people chose to give Machado and Apoliona our second four-year terms and Cataluna, a full four-year term. There are many important tasks that lay ahead for the OHA tmstees that include BOT organization, OHA planning, collaborations for Native Hawaiian master plans, program development, investment portfolio oversight, Legislature 2001, pursuit of overdue ceded land revenue payments to the tmst, and federal reconciliation to name a few. We are humbled and appreciative for the demonstrated sup-

port ot our ettorts by OHA voters and will eonhnne tn he coura2eoiis and resnonsihle in our

leadership to plaee beneficiaries before politics. ■

With the 60 days now behind us, we have successfully bridged the OHA 2000 election and stand ready to get back to work.

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