Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 6, 1 June 2016 — OHA Board of Trustees meets on Maui [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA Board of Trustees meets on Maui

This past May, my office had the pleasure of hosting the Board of Trustees on our yearly visit to Maui. Though

I we endured some schedule changes due to the weather, we thoroughly enjoyed the time we were able to share with our beneficiaries and 'āina we aim to serve. I'dlike to mahalo Pomaika'i Kani'aupio-Crozier and his team at Pu'u Kukui Watershed for being so willing to host us and hope to be able to visit one day. On our site visit, we had the opportunity to visit Moku'ula in

Lahaina. We were able to see, firsthand, the monumental work underway to literally uncover our history - layer by layer. Tanya Lee-Greig took the time to explain the tedious work that

she and her team were doing to pinpoint the island's boundaries. I was personally fascinated; not only by the technology being utilized to uncover Moku'ula, but most of all, at the ingenious engineering exhibited by our kūpuna centuries ago. Certainly, the work that is taking plaee here within the next few years will benefit Maui and the larger lāhui. We'd like to extend our mahalo to the Executive Director of Friends of Moku'ula, Blossom Feiteira, and her team for hosting the Board of Trustees and for all the hard work they are doing for Moku'ula. We were also fortunate to be hosted by Ke'eaumoku Kapu and his 'ohana at Nā 'Aikāne o Maui. After experiencing the infamous Lahaina sun, we were elated to find shade and a breeze in their hale. To make things even better, we all enjoyed dinner and company while Ke'eaumoku took the time to share the inoa Hawai'i of

the surrounding area. It is so important that we remember and re-instate these names. I'd also like to extend my deepest mahalo to Nā 'Aikane o Maui for

their hospitality and 'ike. Following these huaka'i, we held our annual Maui Community Meeting at Waiola Church in Lahaina and the following day's Board of Trustee's Meeting at UHMaui College. Here, we heard the progress and success of the Maui organizations that were awarded OHA Grants this past year. It was moving to see all of the change our people are able to effect in

our communities from education to farming. Mahalo to all of you that work tirelessly for ourMaui Community; I hope to continue to support you in my capacity as your Trustee. As Maui Trustee, I am so grateful for all of our beneficiaries that

shared testimony to the Board. It is clear that we must be aware of all that is going on our island so that we ean best protect our resources and even more important that the board is kept informed as well. Many Lahaina beneficiaries shared concerns with issues with West Maui Land Company and the actions that are adversely affecting our people. This is a similar issue that we also see elsewhere - we must be proactive in taking care of our land and people who dwell upon these lands. Though we recognize that it is our job at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to mālama our resources and 'āina, we cannot do it alone. So, with that being said, mahalo to our beneficiaries who are keeping the Board abreast and aware. We appreciate your hospitality and aloha as we hosted the Board of Trustees and Staff. As always, we continue to urge you to contact our office with any concerns. ■

Carmen "Hulu" Lindsey TrustEE, Maui

The OHA Board of Trustees visited Maui for its May meeting. - Photo: Courtesy