Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 25, Number 3, 1 March 2008 — Page 9 Advertisements Column 1 [ADVERTISEMENT]

PONO

S k t 1 1 K * t yHr^7 C \ t_ tC t t MALAMALAMA 1 MALAMA /

PONO'OLE AKANA - AUWĒ!

The graphic Akana ad in the February Ka Wai Ola, probably paid for by her husband Ron Bongiovanni, does not refute anv of mv īanuary KWO factual response whieh challenged her erroneous accusations in the December 2007 KWO. Instead, Akana accuses me of: • A "sucker puneh" — WRONG. Honesty/truth is a "telegraphed puneh". • A secretive "Best Friends Forever" with Chairperson Apoliona — WRONG, again. Apparently, Akana considers friendship as more important than honesty in ethical puhlie service. Shame on her! • A "conflict of interest" as Chair's office staff - WRONG, again. My conflict was over maintaining silence as an OHA staff member versus speaking out as an informed, irate OHA beneficiary. In fact, as a media-shy person, I debated over whether to make this public response to such childish destructive antics. Also, Akana switches her focus to personal attacks on me and upon the person she obviously considers her arch enemy, Chairperson Haunani Apoliona. • If Akana has proof to substantiate her claims, why hasn't she spoken directly to the people she names; and why, if needed thereafter, hasn't she presented the documentation in formal communication to fellow Trustees and the Administrator? Absence of professional ethics?! Disdain for a factual memo by the Administrator refuting her false claims ?! • Is Akana prepared to answer publically for continuing questionable actions and expenditures far beyond the questions raised of her by the State Auditor in a 2001 OHA audit? I believe in and live with honesty, independent thinking, and high principles, so I refuse to play word games of iresponsible gossip and innuendo with Akana just so she ean see her name in the media during an eleehon year. Apparently, she is intent on ignoring her Trustee duties and hurting individuals with her vitriolic distortions at the expense of demeaning the reputation and positive leadership affect and effect of all others associated with OHA. She seems irresponsibly focused upon dividing Hawaiians internally and the observing public, as well, into "them" and "us". AUWĒ! To all who love Hawai'i nei, e mālama pono. Mahalo for your pahenee. Pau! Winona Ellis Rubin, OHA Beneficiary