Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 26, Number 7, 1 July 2009 — KIRC lauds Waiheʻe for term of service [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

KIRC lauds Waiheʻe for term of service

By Uza Simoo Puhlie Affairs Specialist OHA Trustee lohn Waihe'e IV was honored for his outstanding contribution as a member of the Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission. At its lune 10 meeting, KIRC issued a resolution recognizing Waihe'e as the OHA representative working with the commission to revitalize the land of Kaho'olawe. Waihe'e served a four-year term at KIRC in the seat reserved for an OHA trustee. On Iuly 1, OHA Trustee Colette Machado succeeded Waihe'e. Meanwhile, the KIRC resolution highlighted Waihe'e's participation in tasks aimed at restoring the island as a "rich, cultural and enviromnental

resource for all of the people of Hawai'i, but especially as a model of Native Hawaiian stewardship, management and governance." Waihe'e oversaw the implementation of the first five-year KIRC strategic plan spanning 2004 to 2008 and helped develop the new fiveyear strategic plan, whieh names fund development as its primary focus, the resolution said. The resolution also highlighted several milestones ofWaihe'e's term, including his work with fellow commissioners in lowering operating costs through acquiring a new landing craft, streamlining new management and improving eommunieations. Also mentioned in the resolution is Waihe'e's service as a

member of KIRC's budget and finance task force. The resolution also notes that as a young man Waihe'e took part in a "ceremony of healing" in 1993 at Hakiowa, site of the largest Native Hawaiian ancient settlement on Kaho'olawe. Beginning in 1941, the U.S. military used Kaho'olawe for training exercises, whieh included the detonation of bombs and other weaponry. Owing to the poliīieal activism of Native Hawaiians, the training eame to a halt in 1980. In 1994, Kaho'olawe was conveyed to the state under a federal act. The state Legislature established KIRC in 1993 to manage the island as a reserve and hold it in trust for a future Native Hawaiian governing entity. ■

MĀLAMA 'ĀINA ■ C D N S E RVAT I ū N

The Kaho'olawe lsland Reserve Commission honored OHA Trustee John Waihe'e IV with a resolution marking his contributions as a commissioner. His four-year term ended June 30. The seat, reserved for an OHA Trustee, was filled by Trustee Colette AAachado. - Photo: Hloine Fergerstrom