Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 25, Number 1, 1 January 2008 — Looking back, looking ahead [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Looking back, looking ahead

From grant giving to caring for the land, attendees react favorably to the State of OHA address

By Lisa Asatū | Publicatiūns Editūr The fifth annual State of OHA address was wannly received by attendees who eame away with messages ranging from bracing for challenges to Hawaiian programs, to getting involved in making positive changes. Some appreciated that the speech by Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chairperson Haunani Apoliona highlighted community programs that are benefiting from OHA grants. "I think it was such a wonderful speech because she gave so mueh infonnation about what they're doing, and I understand now where they're coming from and what their platfonn is," said Abbie McGurn of Alu Like Inc.'s kūpuna program in Nānākuli. "I think it's just great." In a Dec. 17 speech at St. Andrew's Cathedral in Honolulu, Apoliona laid out three premises - that Native Hawaiians: ean share with others its knowledge of caring for the environment, are on the "threshold of critical decisions" such as holding a nationbuilding convention in 2008, and "must seize the moment and stop grumbling." "We must do our homework because before too long, we will be in the formative stages of reestablishing a Native nation of our choosing," Apoliona said in a speech broadcast live on KKNE AM940 and taped for 'Ōlelo television. Attendees included state and city lawmakers, OHA Trustees and staff, community leaders, members of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, and students from Ke Kula Kaiapuni 'o Ānuenue Hawaiian language immersion school. "I like what she said - 'No grumble,' said Windward O'ahu Sen. lill Tokuda, laughing. "I think that's something we ean all learn from - that we do have to be more involved." Tokuda said she

hoped the message would resonate even beyond the Native Hawaiian community. "We have to be more proactive about securing Native Hawaiian rights, entitlement programs and services," said Tokuda, chairwoman of the Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs Coimnittee. "It's about protecting and preserving something we want to leave behind for our future." Former OHA Trustee Moanikeala Akaka, who served from 1984 to 1996, said she was pleased to hear OHA is giving more funds to the community, and that OHA now holds title to Wao Kele o Puna, a lowland rainforest onee marked for geothermal drilling. "It's very niee to see OHA embrace that whole situation," said Akana, who was arrested muhiple times in the early 1990s while fighting to save the Hawai'i Island rainforest. But Akaka didn't care for the "stop grumbling" statement, saying it didn't acknowledge realities like the high piiee of gas, homelessness on beaches, and the high cost of living. "One has to look at things from a holistic standpoint," she said. For Roy Benham, a former Trustee from OHA's inception in 1980, a highlight of the speech centered around the opposition that Hawaiian programs will continue to face in the courts and at a pos-

sible Constitutional Convention in 2010. "That's why we need the Akaka Bill," Benham said. "Then we could eonhnue those (programs) that we are doing for the Hawaiian people." In a 20-minute speech, Apoliona also said: • The Akaka Bill passed the U.S. House in October, and Senate action is pending. • "probably the most critical decision we face" is organizing a Native Hawaiian govermnent • If a Constitutional Convention is held Native Hawaiians must get involved - vote, run for delegate, organize - to ensure its voice is heard. OHA is a creation of the 1978 ConCon. • OHA increased its annual budget to $42 million, with 70 percent of expenditures going directly to program services. • In 2007, OHA Board of Trustees approved millions in grants and board initiatives to support community programs. At the end of the speech, Apoliona sang from the pulpiī the third verse of Hawai'i Pono'ī, the state song, as the congregation slowly rose to its feet. "Hawai'i pono'I, e ka Lāhui ē, 'o kau hana nui, e ui ē," she sang, finishing with the spoken words, "Those true to Hawai'i, the Hawaiian people, your great duty is to prevail." □

NŪ HOU • NEWS

Roy Benham, a former OHA lrufee, speaks with Chair Apoliona. - Pholo: LisaAsato