Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 31, Number 10, 1 October 2014 — WENDT, MAHEALANI NONPARTISAN [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WENDT, MAHEALANI NONPARTISAN

Q1. OHA's unigue position as Trustee of Hawai'i's indigenous people, whose eolleetive genealogy

traces back to progenitor of these islands, obligates it to be foremostly custodian and steward of 'āina Hawai'i. In the land regulatory scheme, this means that OHA staff must do the arduous work of reviewing all projects with potential to negatively impact Hawai'i's natural and cultural resources. OHA staff should review Environmental Assessments, Environment lmpact Statements, Cultural lmpact Statements, land use development permit applications, etc. etc. to ensure that these projects do not negatively impact its beneficiaries' vested interests in Hawai'i's natural and cultural resources. With a due regard for a robust Hawai'i economy and recognizing its critical importance to the overall well-being of Hawai'i's citizens, eeonomie development should not eome at the cost of severe impacts to Hawai'i's natural and cultural resources. Q2. I will do everything I ean to ensure all points of view are heard, given respectful and due consideration, and that the nation-building process is democratic and fair for all concerned. OHA is trust repository for indigenous Hawaiian resources, including its treasury. As fiduciaries, the trustees need to ensure the resources reguired to carry out the political will of the Hawaiian people are available and fairly allocated. Since there exists a great divide amongst Hawaiians regarding their governanee, I would support a political status referendum, conducted by and overseen by an international body, prior to conducting an eleetion of delegates for the purpose of ascertaining the political will of our lāhui - whether, at this time in our history, our people support independence or remainingwithinthe U.S.