Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 22, Number 2, 1 February 2005 — OHA offices in Keaukaha and Kailua are there for all Hawaiʻi island beneficiaries [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA offices in Keaukaha and Kailua are there for all Hawaiʻi island beneficiaries

Aloha kākou! This year I want to meet my Big Island beneficiaries. I want to keep up with what is happening in the eommunities. I started off meeting with the staff from our Hilo office and the Kona office. The new Hilo office was moved from the Hilo Lagoon Complex to the Hawaiian Homelands Complex in Keaukaha about a year ago. Ululani Sherlock and Gladys Brigham are busy working in the communities registering Hawaiians for their identification. The Kona office is located behind the Moku'aikaua Church in Kailua Town (between the mayor's office and the Kona Grill Restaurant) and is

manned by Ruby McDonald. OHA is looking for volunteers to go into the communities and continue the Hawaiian Registry. Call our offices if you are interested. I mention this information because in the past few years, we have seen new families move from other islands because of Hawaiian Homes subdivisions and opportunity for jobs and higher education. So I invite all Hawaiians to stop by our offices at least to say "aloha" and find out what services and happenings are going on. As you know, Hawaiian Homes has included new lots in Keaukaha, Pana'ewa and Waimea. They also created the Maku'u farm lots; opened

up Ka'ū; and the lessees in Kawaihae have begun building new homes and plans are being developed for the next phase of La'i'ōpua in Kona. Hawaiian Homes is not finished yet - they have begun Lālāmilo in Waimea. So to all these new families, we weleome you! OHA will be coming to the Big Island to sign up Hawaiians for the Hawaiian Registry and Kau Inoa. I am advocating the Hawaiian Registry because it is a matter of identifying that Hawaiians are getting the services and benefits from their own resources. We anticipate the Big Island should be requesting "big bucks" in the next year. For small business loans, the Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund has

changed its policy. You don't have to be denied twice from banks before coming to OHA. You ean eome first. We also raised the maximum, so eome in and get the news. We are hearing about Grants doing great things. We anticipate the paperwork. By the way, this newspaper, Ka Wai 01 a O OHA, is a free publication for anyone who lets us know they want it. Tell your family and friends! For your subscription, email kwo@oha.org Like the commercial says, "The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades." Aloha a hui hou. ■

Linda Dela Cruz Trustee, Hawai'i