Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 40, Number 12, 1 December 2023 — OHA's O'ahu Community Meetings & 2023 Year End Review [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA's O'ahu Community Meetings & 2023 Year End Review

As your O'ahu Island Trustee and Chair of the Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment Committee, I had the honor of hosting, alongside our Board Chair Hulu Lindsey, four well-attended eommunity meetings and eight site visits, with a focus on homestead communities. Mahalo nui to Chair Lindsey, Interim CEO Colin Kippen, OHA staff, and my Akaka Team for all your support.

Our meetings and site visits gave opportunities to stay on the pulse of the needs and concerns of our Hawaiian community and see and hear how we ean further collaborate with organizations supporting our beneficiaries. Wai'anae (8/29/23) Site Visits: • King Lunalilo Trust, Nā Pua a Lunalilo - Mā'ili Kitchen •Wai'anae Coast Comprehensive Heahh Center Presentations: • King Lunalilo Trust, Nā Pua a Lunalilo- Ma ili Kitchen - Tammy Smith, Director of Kitchens, Nā Pua a Lunalilo and Keolamaikalani Dean, CEO, King Lunalilo Trust. • Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) - Kali Watson, Chairman •Wai'anae Coast Comprehensive Heahh Center - Landen Muasau, Dr. Stephen Bradley, and Dr. Kyle "Kaliko" Chang •'Elepaio Social Services - Alieia Higa and Jesse Mikasobe-Keali'inohomoku •Wai'anae Eeonomie Development Council- Joe Lapilio and Dan Gomes • Nā Kama Kai - Matt Kauwe

Mahalo nui to Alieia Higa, Jesse Mi-kasobe-Keali'inohomoku, Kenny Paresa, Nieki Hasegawa, Kaliko Chang, Aunty Nalani Benioni, Chef Kamoa Quitevis, Chef Mark Ka'aha'aina, and the Wai'anae

High School Culinary Program for all of their assistance. Papakōlea (9/28/23) Site Visits: • FITTED Hawai'i •Hale Makana O Mō'ili'ili Development Presentations: •Ikenakea Development - Patti Tancayo, General Partner •DHHL - Kalani Fronda, Speeial Projects Team Lead • Papakōlea Development Corporation - Lilia Kapuniai,

Executive Director Kapolei (10/17/23) Site Visits: • Hale Kipa •Ulu A'e Learning Center Presentations • Hale Kipa - Venus Kau'iokawēkiu Rosete-Medeiros, CEO •Ulu A'e Learning Center - Miki'ala Lidstone, Executive Director • Kapolei Community Development Corporation - Aunty Homelani Schaedel Waimānalo (11/7/23) Site Visits: • College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources (CTAHR) • Hui Mālama O Ke Kai Presentations: • Mālama Honua Puhlie Charter School - Denise Espania, Po'o Kula •Truth is Now - Ashley Maha'a, CEO & Founder • DHHL - Kalani Fronda, Special Projects Team Lead

Mahalo to all the presenters and those who attended the meetings in-person and on livestream. I wish you the very best during this holiday season. Enjoy the precious time that is shared with 'ohana and friends as we recharge and get ready for another busy and exciting year! Mele Kalikimaka a Hau'oli Makahiki Hou! ■

Kaleihikina Akaka Trustee, O'ahu

Trustees Akaka, Lindsey, Souzd, and Trask with the staff of Wūi'onoe Coast Comprehensive Heolth Center ond 'Elepoio Sociol Services. - Courtesy Photos

Trustees Akoko, Alopo, Ko Pouhono Ferreiro together with Waimōnolo beneficiaries ond Kohoono 'Ohono.