Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 29, Number 5, 1 May 2012 — College students chime in on Kakaʻako [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

College students chime in on Kakaʻako

By Joseph Kūhiō Lewis OHA Youth Coordinator After decades of working to resolve disputed revenues owed to OHA, the issue has been resolved. Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed into law a measure that transfers 10 parcels in Kaka'ako Makai to OHA for past-due payments stretching from 1978 to 2012. Here, students from Honolulu and Leeward community colleges share their thoughts on what OHA should do on these mostly waterfront lands in Honolulu, keeping in mind the agency's mission to improve the conditions of Native Hawaiians.

"I think OHA shouldexplore ways to generate money but keep to our traditions as Native Hawaiians."

Lorraine Pi 'imauna Wai'anae, O'ahu "Whatever you do with the land, honor the history of Kaka'ako. Share the story of the land." Ikaika Lum Mililani, O'ahu "We should tum Fisherman's Wharf into a eanoe house, make canoes." Oaniel Kape '« Nānākuli, O'ahu "Development is what is hurting our culture. What we really need is 'ike (knowledge)." Nicholas Kupihea Kunia, O'ahu

"I think we should build a Native Hawaiian school and college. We should also use the land to promote businesses that

promote Hawaiian culture." James "Kimo" Nihoa 'Aiea, O'ahu

"I think OHA should generate ineome to support more services that help Native Hawaiians. I also think the Royal Hawai-

ian Center is a great example of how we ean incorporate our story and rich culture into modern eoncepts. I don't think that Kaka'ako is a good plaee to raise a family. We should make money and build housing elsewhere." Kamahana Kealoha Waimea, Hawaii

"OHA should build housing for Native Hawaiians and incorporate a cultural component so that they ean get back to

their roots. In fact, the cultural eomponent should be a requirement (to live there) so that it's not a handout, it's a hand up." CIarissa Kenui Mililani, O'ahu ■

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Pi'imauna

Nihoa

Kealoha

Kenui