Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 18, Number 7, 1 July 2001 — Communities voice concerns at statewide strategic planning and budget meetings [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Communities voice concerns at statewide strategic planning and budget meetings

By Naomi Sodetani Placing an orange dot labeled "$250.000" on the large flipchart taped on the wall, a whitehaired kupuna in a pink mu'umu'u

gleefully exclaimed, "I can't believe I just spent five million dollars!" Marie Solomon of North Kohala was just one of many OHA beneficiaries who participated in OHA's --tatewide strategic planning process. From April through June, 15 meetings ODen to the Dublic

were held statewide. Facilitated by former state lawmaker Annelle Amaral, the meetings were the first step in OHA's visioning process. In February, the trustees approved funds to embark on communitybased planning based on the vision "Ho'oulu Lāhui Aloha," to raise a beloved nation. Eaeh person was given an envelope of different colored stickers and stickers representing a total of $5 million dollars. By placing various stickers next to the trustees' short and long-term budget priorities they felt were most urgent, they "voted" for and ranked the issues and activities that they most wanted

OHA to work on in years ahead. Five million dollars is the amount available for discretionary spending after fixed operation costs, existing program commitments and cash reserves are deducted from the

estimated $16 million annual budget. At times residents voiced frustration that the trustees' priorities didn't jive with theirs. "Instead of buying Waimea Falls," said Hilo resident Kale Gamapac, "OHA should spend those dollars on a Native Hawaiian health plan." In Hilo, a crowd of over 80 beneficiaries packed

the Keaukaha School Cafeteria. "Please continue supporting Nā Puā No'eau," Kevan Kamibayashi asked. "For it to go under would be devastating to Hawaiians." Communities were asked to eontribute their concerns and priorities not on the trustees' list. Areas of eoneem commonly expressed at all meetings were: education, advocacy, eeonomie development, social services (heahh, housing and welfare), Board of Trustees policy decision making, environment/ resource management, nationhood, and culture. Some suggested that OHA should have an office space built on OHA-owned land and not

"waste millions on rent." All participants responded positively at the initiative to gather input. "I'm very grateful that OHA is sending representatives to talk to us," said Pāmai Kamakani at the Kona meeting held at Kaniohale Community Center. "The community is so intelligent, so wise," Amaral said. "Their eomments are so thoughtful and eome out of deep, deep care. Next we will see the weaving together of all their concerns." Meeting results will be gathered and analyzed by expert working groups and subsequently ineoiporated into a planning document that outlines OHA's future goals,

objectives and staff action plans. Community input will again be sought midway in late fall and again by summer 2002. The collaborative visioning process reflects the values imbued in the saying "He lei poina 'ole ka lei 'ohana," Amaral said. "We are family, the lei never to be forgotten. Working together we are creating a gift, a legacy for our children." OHA continues to seek eommunity input from people who did not attcnd the meetings through Ka Wai Ola, as well as weh and phone surveys. Please fill out the survey on page 15, inside back cover. Your mana'o counts. ■

Facilitator Annelle Amaral at Kona's communlty meeting.

Reynolds Kamakawiwo'ole (at right) and other north Hawai'i residents voice their concerns at the Waimea Community Center. Photos: Naomi sodetoni.