Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 12, 1 December 2010 — Aloha mai kākou, [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Aloha mai kākou,

The years leading up to and including 2010 were weighed down by eeonomie struggles worldwide, and Hawai'i was not immune to these challenges. In light of the eeonomie downturn, our diverse grants and loans programs have heeome vital to our Native Hawaiian businesses and eommunity. In the year ending June 30, 2010, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs provided more than $ 10 million in direct support to these programs. 2010 also saw great strides in the implementation of OHA's new Strategic Plan, whieh was adopted by the Board of Trustees in September 2009. Underscored by a restructuring of the organization to focus our expertise and resources on key areas, OHA has taken the first crucial steps into its new roles as Advocate, Researcher and Asset Manager. This year, our Research Line of Business hnalized a three-year report, The Disparate Treatment ofNative Hcmaiians in the Critninal Justice System, whieh confirmed the disparities that until now existed only anecdotally. In the upcoming legislative session and beyond, the report will also provide a valuable tool upon whieh OHA will advocate for

policy change. This is a fine example of how OHA's shift in applying our resources from serving individual needs to programs and activities that will lead to systemic change will maximize its impact on the Hawaiian community. In 2011, our beneficiaries ean expect to see us advocating onee more at the State Legislature for a number of initiatives including tuition waivers for all Native Hawaiians to attend the University of Hawai'i. We feel strongly that No Hawaiian student should be denied a college education here in the State of Hawai'i based on hnaneial need. OHA will also continue to push for the State to settle its $200 million debt for revenues from the use of ceded lands. This is crucial because these funds could be used to make a difference - today - for worthy projects that benefit our Native Hawaiian communities. What is good for the Native Hawaiian community is good for all Hawai'i. Additionally, OHA's four Lines of Business continued to take shape this year under proven and respected leaders in the Hawaiian community, allowing us to forge even stronger relationships with stakeholders, policymakers and beneficiaries to achieve our eommon goals. Guided by its 2010-2016 Strategic Plan, OHA

has laid a strong foundation upon whieh the agency will go forward in the next six years with a renewed focus in upholding our constitutional and statu- a

tory obiigations. Me ka 'oia'i'o,

[?]

Clyde W. Nāmu'o Chief Executive 0fficer

Ē Follow us: twitter.com/oha_hawaii | B Fan us: "Office of hlawaiian Affairs" Ā ^ = \ THE CEO t