Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 39, Number 9, 1 September 2022 — Hau'oli Lā Hānau e Queen Lili'uokalani Reflections of an LT Kamali'i [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hau'oli Lā Hānau e Queen Lili'uokalani Reflections of an LT Kamali'i

V E 'ONIPA'A KAKOU V ^ BE STEADFAST "

By Kinohi Malani f "V ueen Lili'uokalani was born ■ I Lydia Lili'u Loloku Walania X. J Wewehi Kamaka'eha to •^^^^high Chiefess Anale'a Keohokālole and Caesar Kapa'akea. On Sept. 2, 2022, we celebrate the queen's 184th lā hānau. In her will, she left her estate to the orphaned and destitute children of Hawai'i, giving preference to Native Hawaiians. Today, the Lili'uokalani Trust (LT) oversees the queens estate as a private operating foundation. LT has taken on a big task: end the generational poverty of Native Hawaiians. LT's vision is "E Nā Kamalei Lupalupa" (Thriving Hawaiian Children) and their work in the years ahead is outlined in

their strategic plan, Wehe Ke Ala. LT is helping vulnerable kamali'i like those involved in foster care and the Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Systems. The Trust is also building its Early Childhood initiatives to help young parents up to 26 years old obtain needed skills and resources like housing, employment, and education to better mālama their babies. I think the Queen would be really proud of the big steps forward LT has made to help kamali'i achieve a good life. As a beneficiary of LT, I was involved in their early college Youth Development program. Overall, the program helped me find my dream, work on college skills, and focus on how I want to contribute to my community. I grew my academic knowledge and learned new skills. I also established strong pilina with other kamali'i and mentors who helped me develop my identity. These mentors are incredible and I feel like I ean go to them for help anytime in the future. Becoming a better role model is one way I ean help my community, especially the kamali'i who participate in LT programs. I feel more confident now as a leader because of the opportunities to lead. A word to other kamali'i: we ean make a positive difference in our eommunity. It doesn't matter if it is big or small. What is important is that you try to leave an impact, a legacy of good work like the queen has left for us. On her 184th lā hānau, I mahalo Queen Lili'uokalani who, through her generosity, helped me as a Hawaiian kāne to believe in myself, my heritage, and my community. ■ Kinohi Malani isfrotn Hilo, Hawai'i. He is a student at the University ofHawai'i at Hilo majoring in nursing.

1 / y. y. x y. f. & I F 1 Queen Lili'uoknlnni - Photo: Courtesy