Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 1, 1 January 2003 — OHA grants assist youth and 'ohana [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA grants assist youth and 'ohana

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By Naomi Sodetani Two non-profit organizations that serve Native Hawaiian youth and their 'ohana have been awarded grants by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The $30,000 OHA grant will assist Mālama Nā Mākua A Keiki, doing business as Mālama Family Recovery Center, in its delivery of culture-based treatment curriculum that integrates traditional Hawaiian values, such as the practice of ho'oponopono, the Hawaiian way of making things right through communication and forgiveness. The Boys and Girls Club of Wai'anae, whieh serves more than

OHA's grant to the Boys and Girls Club will help give West-end youths a ehanee "to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens," said David Nakada, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Hawai'i. The PowerUP Program seeks "to bridge the digital divide," said Wai'anae Clubhouse Director Kimo Bajet. "Nowadays the business world and way of life is all computers. So we try to give those kids opportunities to get basic computer training, from resume writing to learning to type, learning computer programs, digital art, and how to use the web as a tool." Both grants are among the first

60 youth members ages 7 through 17, will use OHA's $35,000 grant to pump up its PowerUP technology literacy program. "We're thrilled and grateful to have OHA support our efforts in developing more culturally relevant programs and services for Native Hawaiians," said Jud Cunningham, executive director of Aloha House, whieh will administer the grant for Mālama Family Recovery Center. The center provides a continuum of substance abuse treatment, life skill enhancement, educational and therapeutic living services for eligible women and their families.

OHA has awarded since the State Attorney General's Sept. 2001 opinion whieh questioned OHA's legal ability to award grants and subsidies. As a result, no grant awards were made last year. OHA introduced legislation to resolve the issue, and the signing of Senate Bill 2477 by Governor Cayetano in June affirmed OHA's granting authority. On Dec. 17, the OHA Board of Trustees approved policy changes that will streamline the grantmaking process for beneficiary applicants. Guidelines and deadlines for submissions are forthcoming. ■

Youth PowerUP — Membets of the Wal'anae Boys & Glrls Club of Hawai'l Wal'anoe Club and Nanakull Extension dlscover the computer as a useful and fun tool. Shown from left to right are Krls Thuener, Pokela Webb (mlddle seated), Kalani Shuette (standlng center), pnd Kalnoa Mura.

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