Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 21, Number 10, 1 October 2004 — 2004 ELECTION [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]
2004 ELECTION
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The views and opinions expressed are the individual candidates' and
My name is Kāhea Kinimaka-Stocksdale, and I'm a candidate for Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawai'i Island trustee. I'm a proud Hawaiian who was born and raised on the island of Hawai'i. I graduated from The University of Hawai'i at Mānoa with a master's in social work and passed the state social work licensing exam. I have gained so mueh knowledge from working with many different organizations such as Alu Like, the Queen Liliu'okalani Children's Center, the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program, Easter Seals, the state Department of Health, the state Department of Education and the University of Hawai'i School of Social Work Hi'ilei project. I want to be an OHA trustee because I feel we need to refocus on why the Office of Hawaiian Affairs was created, whieh is "to provide the opportunity for a better life and future for all Hawaiians" (Overview oha.org). I am an honest individual and a leader who ean be trusted and counted on. I have no hidden agendas; I am only seeking the position because I care deeply about what happens to our people. I do feel that I am an excellent candidate for the job. I am a fair individual who ean look at things from many
different perspectives, and I know that we can't move forward if we don't eome together as one. One of the most important issues is having the Hawaiian community believe that they are being heard. I would do this by returning "back to the basics" by listening to the communities and hearing what their needs and concerns are and how OHA could best serve them. Another important issue is to effectively use the money and resources allotted to OHA, and lastly to support programs designed to help our people move forward and create a better life. I am committed to my community. I have chosen to stay in Hawai'i to work and live. I'm a social worker who has devoted my work to helping empower and support others to be the best they ean be. My commitment to the Hawaiian people is evident through my seeking this position. I see this to be the opportunity to make a positive difference by heeoming an OHA trustee. I feel that many people have stopped supporting OHA and getting involved because they feel like they are not being heard. I would encourage more involvement by showing people that their voices matter through
organizing community meetings. I would start with small groups of people who want to discuss what their concerns and needs are, but laek the opportunity to be heard. Most community meetings are associated with negativeness, where people only grumble and discuss what is not working. I would approach these get-togethers from another angle by letting people know that their voices are heard and their "mana'o" is important in moving forward for the benefit of our communities. I would also let the communities know that it's okay to disagree, but we need to compromise and always keep in mind that we are here together because we care about our people, and we are all here to move forward as one. If there were only one thing I could aeeomplish as a trustee it would be to facilitate the unification of the Hawaiian people. I am strongly committed to put the people of Hawai'i first and to always do what is best for our communities. Together we ean choose to make a change for the better. I want to be the people's ehoiee. "Imua a loa'a ka lei o ka lanakila" (Move forward to get the lei of victory) ■
"W" ~Thy do you want to be an OHA 1/1/ trustee and whal qualities do you 1 1 bring to Ihe position ? In 1978 OHA was created to service our Hawaiian people as a whole. Currently OHA provides, among other things, funding sources that address health, education, human services, eeonomie opportunities, affordable housing, cultural practices and legal services that litigates land and Native Hawaiian rights disputes. The fate of these services is being challenged by lawsuits and legislation that seek to steal everything away. I believe my 46 years of productive administrative experience will strengthen the current composition of trustees in their decision-making responsibihties. Additionally, I am a seasoned (successful) capacity builder of communities. What do you consider the most important issue confronting OHA and/or the Hawaiian people? As an OHA trustee, how would I resolve this eoneem? The most important issue confronting OHA
today is the need to establish a trust relationship with its beneficiaries. Trust is made possible when there are intentional efforts by OHA to eommunieaie clearly with our beneficiary and non-beneficiary communities. Random samplings on all of our islands suggest many Hawaiians do not clearly know and understand the purposes and provisions that OHA has provided over nearly 30 years of service. Many Hawaiians are misinformed about OHA. Misinformation creates unnecessary anger. Many non-Hawaiians still believe they are not allowed to vote in the election process. They are clueless in terms of their relationship to our (Hawaiian) community and how it may affect them should we lose our entitlements. As the trustee for Hawai'i island, I would hold quarterly informational meetings in Hilo, Ka'ū, Kona and Waimea districts. I would meet with appropriate organizations to identify issues and needs. Critical to any meeting is the establishment of guidelines for engaging in dialogue. Dialogue provides opportunity for understanding. New disclosures have the potential to change ones viewpoints.
OHA's strategic plan should be the end product of good communications with their community. What past/current involvement and activities demonstrate your commitment to the Hawaiian community ? I served as a Hawaiian Home Commissioner in 1997-1998. I was an executive member of West Hawai'i Fisheries Council, a community based organization that advocates for the protection of our near-shore resources (1998-2003). I currently serve a president of 'Ōiwi Lōkahi o ka Mokupuni o Keawe and as secretary for Hui Kāko'o 'Āina Ho'opulapula. Both non-profit organizations advocate for the 20,000 Hawaiians on the wait list for Hawaiian Homeland awards. If you could only accomplish one goal as an OHA trustee, what would it be ? Establish a trust relationship between OHA and its beneficiaries. ■
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In January 2000, 1 was appointed trustee of the island of Kaua'i and Ni'ihau by Governor Ben Cayetano to serve out the unfinished term of Trustee Moses Keale. In November 2000, 1 ran successfully for a full four-year term. It has been a humbling
experience working and contributing for the benefit of the Hawaiian people. On Nov. 2, 1 am again seeking another four years as trustee of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. I am proud of my Hawaiian heritage and I bring to the office my many experiences
in the business world and the community, as well as teaching our keiki. I am caring and eommitted to serve all who eall Hawai'i their home. I will eonlinue to work for the betterment of the Hawaiian people and to mālama the Trust. ■
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