Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 38, Number 2, 1 February 2019 — 'Ike aku, 'Ike mai: Make Time to Talk Story [ARTICLE]

'Ike aku, 'Ike mai: Make Time to Talk Story

< LETTERTO THE EDITOR >

Trustee Lee, in his Ianuali 2021, I don't have time eolumn, asked, "what's important: not having time, or making time?" His eoneem for maintaining flagship organizations like the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, when engagement is limited from upcoming generations, is a legit eoneem across many Native Hawaiian organizations. Focus: Encouragement is critical for many interested and willing to commit but maybe some do not know where to get started - this was onee me. To the reader (Boomer to Gen Z): Do you volunteer for a community organization? If yes, why? If no, why not? What is your passion? How do you contribute to your 'ohana? If you were able to make a larger impact what would that look like? Social, poliheal, eeonomie, as well as environmental roles and realities within our community are important to acknowledge. In knowing and seeing

one another, 'ike aku 'ike mai, we ean support eaeh other's visions and needs. The pandemic highlights widespread hardship while connecting many in innovative ways. OHA hosting an electronic event to listen to Millennials and Generation Z may provide insight for larger engagement and advocacy of Native Hawaiians. Let's make time to talk story. Dr. Katie Kamelamela ■ Dr. Kamelamela lives in Kapueuhi, Hawai'i Island. She is an ethnoecologist, a researcher who studies the relationships betw>een people, the environment and policy. Currently, her commitments are with muhiple organizations at island, state, naūonal, and international levels.