Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 10, 1 October 2011 — Mueh remains to be done [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Mueh remains to be done

Aloha mai kakou, In the past nine years of my service as an OHA

Trustee, I have eome to appreciate that patience is a virtue, especially in government and politics. And so as I leave this office, though I do so knowing that mueh has been accomplished at OHA during this period and thousands of Hawaiians have benefited, mueh remains to be done. OHA has grown out of the everybody, anybody,

nobody kea kind of election, where Trustees were elected based on the culture of "me," whieh trumped expertise, reason and "you." Some today still live in the past without a elue as to what it means to be responsible for a trust fund of $350 million and to address so many needs of the beneficiaries. True, politics can't be avoided, but it should be the exception, not the rule. Personally, I would favor an appointed board to eliminate the political drama that has affected the board in the past. Term limits of 12 years should also be considered. After that time, a Trustee ean become way too used to the job andlose the dedication necessary to fulfill the duties of a Trustee. Complacency and lethargy, as well as pride and intolerance, may creep in. Hawaiians need to have new blood and new ideas constantly replacing the limu, whieh tends to accumulate with too mueh time in office. Now, as for my undone projects, I am hopeful that the board will be able to complete them my as soon as ean. 1) Federal recognition ean be achieved but better this year or next at the latest. We have a number of irons in the fire and will continue to work for, pay for and do whatever we ean to accomplish security for our people from legal extinction. 2) State recognition is

on its way but needs continued attention. 3) A policy and plan for affordable housing is due soon, whieh will help OHA to select appropriate

projects especially for Hawaiians who don't qualify for Hawaiian Homes. 4) Liko A'e has helped thousands of students and needs to be funded by OHA and the feds. Charter schools are a continuing eoneem and the Legislature needs to be convinced to participate more. 5) Hawaiian heahh initiatives by Papa Ola

Lōkahi and the island heahh centers need OHA's help, whieh the board needs to address more directly. 6) It seems that all efforts require money and so OHA needs to get more involved in establishing its own businesses and assisting Hawaiians to establish theirs. 7) Working with all types of groups is important and the Summit group, whieh consists of individuals who do not necessarily agree with OHA on most matters, is still able to unite in our latest effort to educate Hawai'i about the importance of kalo to our people andculture. 8) Building a Hawaiian capitol at Point Panie, whieh is a location that Hawaiians deserve as our center of government, is something I urge the board to pursue. 9) The resolution of a $200 million unpaid bill for ceded lands revenues from the state should be a no-brainer, but the Legislature continues to stymie us Hawaiians. All we ask is to be given Kaka'ako and other lands in lieu of money. And 10) The board needs to continue to work together and with staff as Trustees and not politicians. And so though I wish I could've completed all of the above myself, I must now leave this wish list for the board to consider. In three years I'll see how they did. I just won't hold my breath. ■

Būyd P. Mūssman Vice Chair, TrustEE, Maui