Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 22, Number 2, 1 February 2005 — 25 Years of serving Hawaiians [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

25 Years of serving Hawaiians

By Manu Boyd This year marks the silver anniversary of one of the most unique organizations in the world: the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, a State of Hawai'i agency considered the "fourth branch of government," created by the people of Hawai'i a quarter century ago. With the nohle mission of bettering the conditions of all Hawaiians, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is known to most by its acronym, "OHA," that embodies poetic ties to the Hawaiian term 'ōhā, the young shoots that sprout off the corm of kalo. 'Ōhā, is also the "root" of the word 'ohana, the widely used term for "family," both close-knit and extended. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs was a concept born out of hearts and minds of many individuals at a time when Hōkūle'a and the Protect Kaho'olawe 'Ohana were buzz words, and Pūnana Leo and Hawaiian Language Immersion were yet unborn. Controversial Hawaiian community issues were coming to the forefront, and Hawaiian activists, both young and old, began the arduous kuleana of reclaiming Hawaiian identity, rights, lands, cultural practices and more, effectively eroded since the overthrow. Hawaiians were moving to the "polilieal front." In 1978, the Hawai'i State Constitutional Convention was one forum that drew Hawaiians who were looking for political and social change. The "Con-Con" considered a number of Hawaiian initiatives and issues, including the establishment of an office that would administer revenues generated from ceded lands (former crown and government lands of the Kingdom of Hawai'i). As articulated in the State Constitution, the five beneficiaries of those lands,

also known as the puhlie land trust, are: puhlie education; the betterment of conditions of native Hawaiians as defined in the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920 (having 50 percent or more Hawaiian blood quantum); development of farm and

home ownership; making of puhlie improvements; and the provision of lands for puhlie use. What passed out of the 1978 Con-Con was a proposed Office of Hawaiian Affairs that would serve all Hawaiians regardless of blood quantum. The mandate to serve all Hawaiians is the impetus for OHA's long relationship with the State Legislature, whieh provides matching general funds to the agency. Two other landmark Hawaiian initiatives of the Con-Con ratified by Hawai'i voters was the designation of 'ōlelo Hawai'i (Hawaiian language) as an official language of the state, and the creation

of a mandatory Hawaiian studies program in the state Department of Education. After more than a year of difficult work and planning, volunteers, Hawaiian organizations and the community conducted a huge

voter registration campaign that significantly increased the Hawaiian voter populalion, and in November 1980 the first election of trustees to oversee the fledgling Office of Hawaiian Affairs was held. Elected to the first board were Adelaide "Frenchy" De Soto, considered by many as the "Mother of OHA" for her tireless work at the 1978 Con-Con and decades of fighting for Hawaiian rights; Joseph Kealoha; Roy Benham; Walter Ritte; Rod Burgess; Thomas Kaulukukui Sr.; Moses Keale; Peter Apo; and Malama Solomon. Two months later, See OHA 25 on page 18

Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs 1980-2005 Peter Apo Roy 'llikea Benham Rodney K. Burgess III Adelaide K. "Frenchy"De Soto, Joseph Kealoha Moses Keale Sr. Thomas K. Kaulukukui Sr. Walter Ritte Jr. Malama Solomon Sonny Kinney Rockne Freitas Pi'ilani Desha Hayden Burgess Moanike'ala Akaka Louis Hao Manu Kaha'iali'i Gard Kealoha Clarence Ching Kevin "Chubby" Māhoe Abraham Aiona Rowena Akana Clayton Hee Kamaki Kanahele III Kīna'u Boyd Kamali'i Samuel Kealoha Jr. Billie Beamer Haunani Apoliona Herbert Campos Colette Machado Hannah Kihalani Springer Gladys K. 'Ainoa Brandt Mililani Trask Donald B. Cataluna lleialoha Beniamina Nani Brandt Dante Keala Carpenter Nālani Olds Charles Ota Linda Dela Cruz Oswald Stender Boyd Mossman John Waihe'e IV

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OHA's first Board of Trustees was inaugurated in a lavish ceremony at 'lolani Palaee on Jan. 17, 1981, 88 years to the day after the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy.

OHA 25 from page 5 on January 17, 1981, these members of the very first Board of Trustees were inaugurated in a huge public ceremony at 'Iolani Palaee. Fanfare, speeches, hula, music and hope for a brighter future for Hawaiians filled the day. As we mark OHA's silver anniversary this November, we honor two and a half decades of growth, change, challenge, commitment and, yes, controversy. Over the coming few months, special Ka Wai Ola coverage and Office of Hawaiian Affairs events will commemorate and reflect upon this quarter-century of history. ■