Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 24, Number 8, 1 August 2007 — OHA's Lānaʻi office blessing [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA's Lānaʻi office blessing

Cūlette Y. Machadū TrustEE, Mūlūka'i and Lāna'i

It has been 11 years since Lāna'i kumu hula Elaine Ka'ōpūiki asked OHA candidates to remember Lāna'i. "What about us?" she asked. "Although we are few in numbers, we need help too. We are being forgotten." With Aunty Elaine in mind, it gives me great pleasure to report that OHA's commitment has been fulfilled. The OHA Lāna'i office blessing was held on June 29 at 5 p.m. at 850 Fraser Avenue. Kahu Marian Kuuleialoha Kanipae presided over the blessing of the office. The maile lei were untwined and the office was officially opened for business. OH A Chairperson Haunani Apoliona spoke of the commitment to Aunty Elaine Ka'ōpūiki and the people of Lāna'i, while OHA Administrator Clyde Nāmu'o shared how happy OHA is to be on the island. Deputy Administrator Ron Mun described some of the details associated with the ll-year mission and how OHA eame very close to securing a loeation several years back. Fortunately, Castle & Cooke was able to turn a former auto detailing shop into eommercial space for OHA to use as an office that will serve our Lāna'i beneficiaries. Castle & Cooke executives Mike and Diana Schochet, legal counsel Gary Yokoyama and project coordinator Mae Ulep joined in the festivities and welcomed OHA to the island. State Sen. Kalani English was thoroughly excited with OHA's presence on Lāna'i and was happy to be on hand to witness the special event. The evening's atmosphere was one of warmth, friendliness, excitement and genuine aloha. People visited with eaeh other, enjoyed the refreshments, walked through the office and listened to the lovely music while enjoying the beautiful hula of Hālau Hula o Lāna'i Kaula, whose kumu

hula Lynette Ka'ōpūiki, is a relative of Aunty Elaine. Opening a new office on Lāna'i with limited resources was a ehallenge for Haunani Ching, a specialist with OHA's Office of Board Services. "I wanted to utilize as many Lāna'i people and companies as possible," Ching said. "We made it happen by using various companies who had Lāna'i connections." The air-conditioning system was installed by Aloha State Refrigeration, whose employee Lucky Maltezo is from Lāna'i. The Maltezo family helped Lucky piek up the equipment and take it to the office. Although the carpet was shipped from Honolulu, the installer was Felipe Magaoay of Lāna'i. Setting up the office was a joint venture by all. Sun Isle West of Honolulu was responsible for shipping all the furniture and worked with Lāna'i Trucking in picking it up at the pier and helping OHA staff set up the office. OHA staff members Jennifer Chiwa, Joanne Medeiros, Joanie Martinez and Ruben Walston assisted with the office phones, computers and furniture. Even Billy Ching contributed by installing the door sign, the doorstop and the door weather strip. The dedication ceremony was successful with the kōkua of many people. Pearl Ah Ho, Lāna'i eommunity resource coordinator, was the "do everything" of the group. Moloka'i community resource coordinator Irene Ka'ahanui and staff members Hālona Ka'ōpūiki and Kapena Johnston worked hard in making the event a memorable one. There were several Lāna'i people who brought in desserts and helped with the set up. A big mahalo to Alberta De Jetley for the beautiful plants and flowers she gathered and used to decorate the outside of the building with for the ceremony. Unele Sol Ka'ōpūiki, a lifetime Lāna'i resident, said it best, "at last we have our own, it's for the best, for all the Hawaiians." Stop in to visit Pearl Ah Ho on Fraser Street the next time you're on Lāna'i. Office hours are weekdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Beneficiaries ean also eall the office at 808-565-7930. M