Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 31, Number 1, 1 January 2014 — OHA laying foundations for a brighter future for Hawaiians [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA laying foundations for a brighter future for Hawaiians

Crabbe: Partnerships crucial amid rising āemanā for scholarships, grants and loans ByTreena Shapiro s Office of Hawaiian Affairs leaders reflected on the past m year and looked to the future at K December's State of OHA cerK emony, self-determination and m re-establishing a Hawaiian government were eommon themes. R In fact, the 2013 State of m OHA was themed Kūkulu Hou I Ka Hale O Mauli ola (Rebuild the House of Mauli ola) and featured a keynote address by retired U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, who authored a federal Native Hawaiian recognition bill in Congress and continues to be a ehampion of the pending legislation. "I firmly believe that the Native Hawaiians and the indigenous people should be able to practice their rights to self-governance and self-determination and

preserve and perpetuate language, culture and traditions, and protect their identity," Akaka said. He added that he believes that when Native Hawaiians are successful at rebuilding their government, they'll serve as a model for indigenous people across the world. Addressing the audience gathered at Central Union Church, OHA Ka Pouhana, CEO Kamana'opono

The staff of OHA blow pū (eoneh shells) to signal the start of the presentation at the 201 3 State of OHA, in Central Union Church. - Photo: Francine Murray

At the close of ceremonies, retired U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka exits Central Union Church followed by invited guests and dignitaries, including Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui, left. - Photo: iohn Matsuzaki

Crabbe underscored the agency's work to raise the status of Native Hawaiians, whose applications for Ananeial assistance increased sharply over the past year. He said 771 Native Hawaiians received loans

totaling $14.7 million to expand their businesses, improve their homes, consolidate their debt and eontinue their education. According to Crabbe, grant applications from nonprofits doubled over the previous year to 148, with a total of $36 million requested to fund programs that help Native Hawaiians. Meanwhile, college scholarship applications nearly tripled to 1,520. "The growing demand did not discourage us. Instead it challenged us," Crabbe said. "It challenged

us to take a thoughtful and strategic approach to the relationships we established with community partners." It also forced OHA to focus on leveraging its

resources. "We ended up awarding $8 million to 32 community-based organizations that we have ehallenged to bring a laser-like focus to helping execute our organization's strategic priorities over the next two years," Crabbe noted. Lacking the resources to meet beneficiaries' needs on its own, OHA has redoubled efforts to work with the other Ali'i Trusts to help Native Hawaiians thrive. "What happens at this SEE STATE 0F OHA ON PAGE 22

I firmly believe that the Native Hawaiians and the indigenous people should be able to practice their rights to self-governance and self-determination and preserve and perpetuate language, culture and traditions, and protect their identity." — Retired U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, in his keynote address

j MO'OLELO NUI ^ > C0VER FEATURE /

Greeted by 0HA's CE0, Kamana'opono Crabbe, the Royal Order of Kamehameha assembles at the entrance of Central Union Church to participate in the opening procession.

Central Union Church was full of elected officials, dignitaries, and members of the Native Hawaiian community for the 201 3 State of OHA.

Above: Kahu Wendell Davis Leads the procession atthe 2013 State of OHA.

OHA Trustee John D. Waihe'e bowed his head during the prayer. Next to him were Trustees Haunani Apoliona, Peter Apo and Dan Ahuna.

STATE 0F OHA Continued from page 19

moment is up to us," Crabbe said. "What comes of this moment will be determined by our commitment to identifying opportunities for the kind of positive changes in the Hawaiian community that will continue to benefit future generations." OHA Chairperson Colette Machado, who suffered a stroke on Nov. 1, told those at the ceremony that she's been given a second ehanee to improve her heahh. "I'm so grateful that I'm here now to address you folks," she said. Reflecting on the past year,

Machado recognized fellow Trustee Oswald Stender on his work on OHA's acquisition of the Gentry Pacific Design Center in Iwilei, whieh is intended to generate ineome through commercial leases. As of Dec. 16, it is also the site of OHA's headquarters. In this new home, named Nā Lama Kukui, whose meaning symbolizes a desired goal or objective, OHA will continue to push for self-determination. "We're moving toward establishing a recognized government for Native Hawaiians," Machado said. As Akaka would point out in his speech a few minutes later, it's been 20 years since the United States passed a resolution apologizing for

Kamakakoa Lindsey-Asing, Klhei Nahale-a, and Sean Nāleimaile of Project Kuleana performed "Kaulana Na Pua" wilh Manu Boyd on Piano, accompanied by OHA hula dancers.

OHA Ka Pouhana Kamana'opono Crabbe, Chief Operating Officer Kawika Burgess, Chief Advocate Kawika Riley, Community Engagement Director Kēhau Abad, Research Director Lisa Watkins-Victorino, and OHA CF0 Hawley lona greeted guests atthe entrance of Central Union Church. - Photo: Pmneine Murray

the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy. "That resolution was only a stepping stone to bring Native Hawaiians together and begin to address the longstanding issues resulting from the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawai'i," he said. OHA has a pivotal role in helping "move our people forward with aloha," he added. Since returning to Hawai'i full time, Akaka has taken on mentoring young Native Hawaiian leaders and instilling in them the spirit of aloha that he brought to Washington, D.C. "I would like current and future generations of leaders to recognize the power of aloha and recognize the leadership that is rooted in our Hawaiian values," he said. Crabbe said that when he took over as CEO in March 2012, he wanted to create "a workplace at OHA that encourages eollaboration and sizzles with the employees who inspire support and confidence through their thoughts and actions."

Last year, these working relationships helped produce the Kamakako'i website, whieh is designed to bring attention to important issues in the eommunity, such as water rights and other policy matters critical to Native Hawaiians. OHA also launched its Kīpuka Database, an award-winning searchable geographic information system that greatly simplifies searching for information about Native Hawaiian land, culture and history. "At Nā Lama Kukui, we will eonhnue to encourage collaboration among employees, who are focused on consistently bringing what he or she ean to support the good work being performed and finding meaning in coming to work every day," Crabbe said. ■ Treena Shapi.ro, a freelance writer, is aformer reporterfor the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and Honolulu Advertiser.

The women of 'Ahahui Ka'ahumanu, regular aftendees of the State of OHA, exit the church. Inset: A woman greets Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell as Kaua'i Mayor Bernard Carvalho, foreground, looks on.