Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 32, Number 9, 1 September 2015 — A Westside Story [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A Westside Story

A loha mai from Kaua'i m\ andNi'ihau!

Ē \ The WestĒ \sideofKaua'i is home to the densest population of Native Hawaiians in all of Hawai'i. It is also home to the largest population of native speakers, many of whom are from Ni'ihau. The west side of the island of Kaua 'i was also onee home to a thriving agricultural community where lo'i kalo (taro farming) flourished. As time has passed, the industry of mahi'aikalo (taro farm-

ing) and other traditional forms of Native Hawaiian agriculture has diminished greatly. This is not the only challenge on the Westside. Currently, the public schools in Waimea have a rapidly declining population. Mueh of the declining student population is related to job opportunities and the workforce outside of the west side. Many Waimea High School parents are finding it mueh easier to bus their keiki to schools in Līhu'e while they work rather than have them attend school in Waimea. Moreover, families are moving out of the Westside eommunity because it is easier to find work closer to town. These problems become compounded and the schools and the community are now suffering because of it. The issues in the schools are exacerbated when per-pupil funding that should be allocated to Waimea goes to other schools due to its lower numbers of students. The ripple effect of the declining population is the loss of afterschool and athletic programs. For this reason I have chosen to assist several afterschool and summer programs at Waimea High School to provide some support. I was recently made aware that the Junior Varsity program was being cut due to not having

enough players to form a team. This is disheartening

and saddens me. I am a firm believer in the value of afterschool programs, and athletic programs especially, as great tools for enhancing the lives of our 'ōpio. It is proven that these activities are highly beneficial and critical to the long-term success of students, especially Native Hawaiian students. It is also a means to scholarship opportunities to assist in linaneial tuition for college. To see that such opportunities are being limited in a community that so deeply

needs it is very frustrating . We need to do more for the Westside eommunity, a Hawaiian community. I have met with various stakeholders on numerous occasions and we have been able to share ideas about increasing opportunity for eeonomie development, housing and creating stronger learning environments for this community. It is going to be a long and arduous task to do all of those things, however I know that step-by-step this community ean do it with the support of our decision makers and agencies, business leaders and surrounding communities. The West Kaua'i community is in dire need of resources to support reconnecting the community to its rich history and potential for sustainability. Thus, they have a great opportunity to actually become a leader for all of Hawai'i in the areas of sustainability and food security, if we invest in the right resources there. I am going to do all that I ean to ensure that OHA is supportive of the many efforts that will take plaee to make this community thrive and reach its highest potential. This is one of the last agricultural eommunities left in the State. Let's get together, collaborate and provide Kōkua for West Kaua'i. ■

Dan Ahuna VicE Chair, TrustEE, Kaua'i and Ni'ihau