Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 18, Number 12, 1 December 2001 — Confirmed and committed [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Confirmed and committed

Charles Ota Trustee, Maui

OHA's participation in a business venture to build homes with the Quality Homes of the Pacific is slated to be a subject matter at an upcoming meeting of the OHA Committee on Budget and Finance, in whieh I am chairman. The budget committee and the Board of Trustees approved this venture in principle previously. Undertaking of this venture is critical to properly serving the OHA beneficiaries and is to begin with a 45-unit Kapolei project to start approximately June 2002. This effort is an example of how OHA ean provide for those needing housing at 80 percent below the median ineome and for people truly in need of assistance to acquire housing.

I have been informed that the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) Coral Reef Reserve Council held its fourth meeting on Nov. 5-6, at the Atherton Hālau next to the Bishop Museum where an exhibit of cultural artifacts found on Necker Island and repatriated from the Peabody Museum were on display. OHA was recognized as a finaneial supporter of the research in the NWHI to begin to understand its history, protocof review of literary material to be widely published and to prepare for possible future exhibits. The NWHI has a wide range of subjects and information to offer relative to the main high Hawaiian islands. There is some evidence of

where early Polyneri2ns likely eame from, and in what timeframes by the artifacts or evidence being recovered. One of the visible resources in the area, is the presence of fish and relative sea life that has always played a role in the lives of people who live in Hawai'i. Kumu Hula Vicky Holt-Takamine offered information on early Polynesian conduct and to develop proper names for the islands or atolls while creating suitable chants on the history of the NWHI. A presentation was given by the operators of the double hull sailing eanoe Hokule'a, whieh was to sail the NWHI ehain as a cultural endeavor while serving as an educational platform. It was

received favorably by the Council. At the same time on Nov. 5-8, the OCEANS 2001conference was held at the Hihon Hawaiian Village and reported on by John Rossano that showcased oeean participants like the Underwater Mining Institute. Many countries are interested in materials found in the oceans depths, both those living and inert. The benefits or otherwise I feel should be of eoneem to Hawai'i residents in any of the surrounding oeean environment and should be monitored. The watchword is, we take care of the environment and it will take care of us in the long run. ■

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