Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 31, Number 1, 1 January 2014 — A new home for OHA at Nā Lama Kukui [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A new home for OHA at Nā Lama Kukui

n what is being hailed as a "new beginning," the Office of Hawaiian Affairs moved its offices from its home of more than 20 years in Kaka'ako to Iwilei. The building, also known as Gentry Paeihe Design Center, is newly named Nā Lama Kukui, symbolizing the guiding light of the ali'i. OHA held a private blessing for trustees and employees on Dec. 16. The office opened to the puhlie two days later.

The new office features a new, larger boardroom with more space for beneficiaries. Trustees said the building allows OHA to build equity in its own commercial property. In essence, rather than paying rent to a third party, OH A would pay itself first. Combined with commercial leases from other tenants of the building, OHA expects to see an increase in revenue - and therefore increase the amount of money

available for programs and community grants. The new office is located at 737 Iwilei Road, Suite 200. The parking entrance is from Nimitz Highway between Kmart and City Mill. OHA's offices are open weekdays from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Hawaiian Registry Program is available from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ■

Right: Trustee Peter Apo and Chair Colette Machado bow their heads in prayer at the Dedication Ceremony of 0HA's new offices, Nō Lama Kukui, also known as Gentry Pacific Design Center, December 18.

Below: Trustees Haunani Apoliona, Peter Apo and Oswald Stender, surrounded by staff, were seated in the new board room after the blessing.

Trustee Apoliona and eaeh of the trustees said a few words at the Dedication Ceremony of Nō Lama Kukui, on December 18.

Left: Trustee Aide Makana Chai, Ka Pouhana Kamana'opono Crabbe, OHA CE0, and Trustee Aide Ani Pang atthe Dedication Ceremony, December 18.

Human Resource Specialist Gay Shimabukuro, Trustee Aide Lei-Ann Durant, and Human Resource Specialists Shannon Chang and Candice Ancheta outside 0HA's new reception area.

Kahu David Ka'upu was joined by Kahu James Merseberg and minister Dr. Maleolm Na'ea Chun in blessing the new office space and board room.