Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 19, Number 12, 1 December 2002 — OHA grants $1.525 million to Kamakaküokalani Center for Hawaiian Stuides over five years [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA grants $1.525 million to Kamakaküokalani Center for Hawaiian Stuides over five years

Bv Manu Boyd The Office of Hawaiian Affairs solidified another community partnership with the activation of a contract with the University of Hawai'i at VIānoa. In April, the OHA Board approved $1.525 million in funding to the Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies at the U.H. Mānoa. The five year commitment of $305,000 per year will fund not

less than 1 0 staff to include a librar~ ian, a ceded lands issues trainer, a researcher and cultural educators. The overall purpose of the grant is to promote and preserve Hawaiian culture, to expand educational opportunities and experiences, and to better the conditions of Native Hawaiians. University of Hawai'i President Evan Dobelle acknowledged that the univemity is "poised to dramati~ cally increase what we know about

the status, location and inventory of ceded lands." Center Director Lilikalā Kame'eleihiwa also focused atten~ tion on ceded lands matters. "We need to fmd a way to live in peaee and harmony, and we can't have that until we have justice. And we can't have that until we know where the lands are," she said. OHA Chairperson Haunani Apoliona said the grant goes hand~ in~hand with OHA's Strategic Plan,

adopted by the Board in January. 'This sumey will establish true and factual informationaboutthe legacy of ceded lands," Apoliona said. "Finally, we stand in partnership with the Hawaiian community and the Hawai'i community that, in the eud, will embrace our messengem. We all benefit from access to true and factual information on Hawaiian tradition, practice and legacy, as well as historic informa~ tion about Hawai'i's lands and the legal and political hallmarks we must all resolve if there is to be healing and reconciliation. "Itis time for Hawaiians and nonHawaiians, standing together; kama'āina and malihini alike, to step up and advance fair and just treatment on Hawaiian issues and self~determination," Apoliona said. "For what is good for Hawaiians will bring good for Hawai'i." Gladys Kamakakūok alani 'Ainoa Brandt, retired educator and former University of Hawai'i regent, expressed her gratitude for the increased educational opportunities for the students. The center was officially named in her honor earli~ er this year. It is estimated that 550-600 students are currently enrolled in Hawaiian Studies courses. ■

Ho'ona'aīīao

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OHA Chairperson Haunani Apoliona, Center For Hawaiian Studies Director Lilikalā Kame'eleihiwa, OHA and CHS staff and students at a press conferenee Nov. 8