What will be your top priorities if elected?  

Huliau! “Change We Must!” Solutions and the Truth

As Native Hawaiians, we need a better understanding of the historic trauma that has led to our physical, psychological and spiritual dislocation as compared to the rest of the general population of Hawaii.  The lack of truth and transparency of the public  education system, coerced us in living an illusion of reality, of acculturation and assimilation of americanism.  That, has led us to our continued systemic economic and social inequalities.  Thus, the concept of an Office of Hawaiian Affairs originated to address this thinking that OHA would give a voice for us Native Hawaiian People. 

That was 46 years ago, when the OHA Trust was created in 1978, by the Hawai’i State Constitution, Article 12, Sec.5 to be governed by 9 elected Trustees responsible for setting policy and managing the Trust. Initially, the Trustees were voted into office by the Native Hawaiian people. That first test of Self-Determination was usurped by a lawsuit, that state it was a ‘racist’ violation of the 14th & 15th Amendments of the United States Constitution in Rice v Cayetano and  ruled illegal by the Supreme Court of America.  Now, anyoneregistered to vote in Hawai’i, are be able to, not only vote in the election of OHA Trustees, but can also become a Trustee. Ironically tho, Native Hawaiians now have a Fiscal & Land Trust established, OHA, valued today, at an estimated worth $884 million in lands & fiscal assets, as part of the annual 20% revenues it was mandated to receive from the 5f Ceded Lands Trust.  Pilikia is, OHA’s not receiving those monies due to a legislative cap. OHA must receive its fair share of the Ceded lands revenues as mandated, as the shortfall hinders the OHA Trust obligation to fully, effectively and essentially support the well-being of our Native Hawaiian community as intended.  Therefore, OHA’s voice as the primary decision-maker for us Native Hawaiians, must be equally empowered and valued at the process table. 

Thirty one years ago, in 1993, the U.S. Congress, and its President passed an Apology Law recognizing that it participated in an illegal Act of War against the Kingdom of Hawai’i, with a Disclaimer basically saying just that, “we apologize”.  No compensation, just an empty apology.  Yet, in the Apology Sec.1: (4) & (5), is a guarantee to support a process of Reconciliation. It isnot to our government that was ‘overthrown’, but to us, the Native Hawaiian people, which is a play on semantics for political reasons. There are four steps of Reconciliation besides Recognition, hence the Apology: Responsibility, Reparation and Restoration- to make pono-right.  These historic economic disenfranchisement, social & cultural dislocations of Hawai’i past, have never been defined nor implemented. There are numerous studies, reports, surveys, findings and recommendations by the Federal DOI, DOJ, State & City government Task Forces, that are the guidelines to implementing and addressing those steps.  For the last twenty+ years, a hui, ‘Ekolu Wale No, of astute Independence-minded Native Hawaiians, conceived the Kuleana Waiwai Like Project, a Blue-Print to address these aforementioned pilikia through an Economic Sovereignty Re-alignment plan to envision our version of Self-Determination and Self-Governance. 

In 2006, a Honolulu Advertiser article wrote: “OHA now working toward nationhood”.  And in a Civil Beat article, by former OHA Trustee Peter Apo on April 18, 2023, wrote:  “OHA abandons commitment to Self-Governance”.  Apo stated: “OHA is defaulting on one of its primary reasons it was created in the 1st place.”  Til today, OHA has NO Nation Building initiatives or curriculum of Self-Determination and Self-Governance. Self-Determination is a fundamental right that acknowledges the inherent economic and political sovereignty of a nation. It is having the autonomy to govern our own affairs; preserve and perpetuate our cultural heritage; make decisions that best serve our community and that ensures we have a rightful place in shaping the future of our homeland. As Beneficiaries of OHA, we aren’t asking for anything more than any host culture would, accountability. 

Therefore we need to huliau! We needto change our thinking!  How? We need to:

• think as Beneficiaries not just Homesteaders; 
• to stop living an illusion of reality of acculturation and assimilation of americanism; 
• to remember who we were, as well as who we are today; 
• to understand that we may be houseless, but not homeless; 
• to remind ourselves, as the Host culture, we are a Native people, not a racial minority nor indistinguishable.                                                            

Through an economic realignment and improving our and the general public awareness and understanding, can we overcome, these historic social & cultural dislocations and disenfranchisement towards a better future for all of Hawai’i. 

Think about it: “If you discovered something in your past that you didn’t know about, would you close your eyes and cover your ears as if it never happened, or would you accept the information as part of your life history? What happens when we know the truth and do nothing about it?  It keeps perpetuating. Because people allow it. People who know better allow it. The political powers in place, allow it”.  “No lie can live forever”.  “Most of the people who need to hear, don’t want truth spoken to them.”  We must speak, “truth to power.”  George Jarrett Helm stated:. “We are in a revolution of consciousness…the TRUTH, the TRUTH, the TRUTH”

What is the most-pressing issues facing Native Hawaiians and how would you address the problem?                       

OHA’s 6 Strategic Plan priorities, via Reconciliation and Economic Realignment by our Kuleana Waiwai Like project is doable.                                                                                                                                               

• 1. ‘Āina (Land and Water): To maintain the connection to the past and a viable land base, Native Hawaiians will participate in and benefit from responsible stewardship of Ka Pae ‘Āina o Hawaii; [to reestablish ‘aina momona, food security and sovereignty by the restoration of water rights to our Homesteads and Fishponds];                                                                                                                             
• 2. Mo’omeheu (Culture): To strengthen identity, Native Hawaiians will preserve, practice, and perpetuate their culture; [we need our Kanaka to remember who we were, as well as who we are today, hence the Multi-Generational Cultural Integrity Matrix exercise; Molokai has always been the piko of  culture, hula, kahuna as the junction of ka pae ‘aina;]                         OHA last four priorities can be done through our KWWL Project of Economic, Self-Determination & Self Governance project:
• 3. Ea (Governance): To restore pono and ea, Native Hawaiians will achieve self-governance, after which the assets of OHA will be transferred to the new governing entity; [thus Nation Building is a must];                                                       
• 4. Ho’okahua Waiwai (Economic Self-Sufficiency): To have choices and a sustainable future, Native Hawaiians will progress towards greater economic self-sufficiency; [hence the KWWL project and the CDFI proposal];
• 5. Ho’ona’auao (Education): To maximize choices of life and work, Native Hawaiians will gain knowledge and excel in educational opportunities at all levels;  [again this can be addressed by the KWWL project];               
• 6. Mauli Ola (Health): To improve the quality and longevity of life, Native Hawaiians will enjoy healthy lifestyles and experience reduced onset of chronic diseases; [with Food & Water Security we can maintain better health conditions.]

What role should OHA play in helping Native Hawaiians cope with Hawaii’s high cost of living?

OHA should partner with the DHHL to fulfill its mandate: “to rehabilitate the Native Hawaiian people.” OHA should kokua with native Hawaiian Housing Governmental programs on all levels to fulfill one aspect of the HHC Act’s mandate. In this way OHA can support DHHL to fully embrace and execute its role as outlined in the HHC Act; OHA, along with DHHL, can effectively reduce houseless-ness by providing housing solutions that includes not only building homes, but also, create sustainable communities, improve existing infrastructure, install alternative energy systems, and have access to necessary resources and support services and OHA should be setting up economic development schemes as in aforementioned question that creates more professional and not just comfort industry service-oriented jobs.

What reforms, if any, would you propose to make OHA more transparent to the public?                 As a State agency, OHA is accountable to all the people of Hawaii, since the Rice/Cayetano decision that everyone can vote for its Trustees. To enhance its transparency and accessibility, as a State agency, OHA should adopt best practices in public communication, ensure regular and open meetings, and provide clear, easily accessible information on its historic activities and finances.  If OHA wants to maintain the trust and confidence of the people it represents, and if OHA wants to foster greater trust and engagement with both the Hawaiian community and the broader public, then the State Agency, OHA needs to be held to the same ethical standards as any other state agency, transparency.

Do you support or oppose the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Hawaii island?

A’ole. Its been long established in recent demonstrations, history that Mauna is a wahipana & and there are other venues that are less contentious, cheaper to build that can fulfill the needs of those who desire to persist on pursuing a telescope there. There are many issues that thus far the present commission or actions have not resolved & until amiable solutions are resolved, a’ole pono.

What do you believe is the best use of OHA’s Kakaako Makai lands and do you support building residential high-rises there?

OHA should take a more pro-active position in promoting Native Hawaiian Contemporary Visual Arts Centers like every ethnic/cultural groups have in Hawaii, as there are none for Kanaka anywhere. There are venues and promotions for the Performance Arts, but none for the Visual Arts. There are natural museums, but no space for the ‘living’ Native Hawaiian artists to have workshops, quarters to live in, exhibition or galleries spaces to have and/or ongoing displays whereby visitors can patronize them, like the Southwest Art Festivals, New Zealand and Japan does. The Kaka’ako location would be a venue in line with routes from the Honolulu airport, the City and walking distance from cruise ship docking areas. In addition, there should be open markets for farmed products grown there, fresh fish markets utilizing the boat slips there, have preparation and eateries of Native Foods, such as a poi factory should be reestablished in this area. I support Housing for Kupuna that may want to live in this community as resources to the younger population who will work there, creating sustainable communities, gardening schemes. By improving existing infrastructure, installing alternative energy systems, and having access to necessary resources and support services such as health and or home-care facilities for disabled and elderly this location would be a ‘natural’ for economic community development.

What role should OHA play in the reshaping of Hawaii’s tourism industry?

Based on the recent shift of funding to CNHA, the HTA obviously has not been promoting Hawaii effectively, thus given those resources, only time will tell if that’ll improve. Thus, OHA should take a more pro-active position in promoting Native Hawaiian Contemporary Visual Arts Centers as every ethnic/cultural groups have in Hawaii, but none for Kanaka. There are enough venues and promotions for the Performance Arts, but not the Visual Arts. There are natural museums, but no space for the ‘living’ arts by Native Hawaiian artists so for them to have workshops, exhibition or galleries and ongoing displays whereby tourists can visit, patronize like the Southwest Art Festivals, New Zealand and Japan have. The Kaka’ako area would be a venue for these schemes. The State Foundation of Culture and the Arts, needs to patronize, commission and purchase Native Hawaiian Artist and arts for the State Buildings and venues that had set it up since its inception, but has not been supportive.

What are your qualifications and why you are running for this office.
I grew up in the 1950’s urban and country areas of Honolulu experiencing firsthand, the history of social and economic challenges as a Kanaka Maoli. My whole life has been community service. As a retired police officer, I worked at utilizing that experience writing grants, curriculum, and reports to help organize community activities and projects. As an educator, artist, lecturer, presenter, inventor, board of director, project director, elected delegate, fundraiser, co-creator, vice-chair, I’ve held numerous leadership and supportive roles in political, economic, social and cultural organizations locally, nationally and internationally. Living on Molokai, I have organized and participated in many community meetings, forums, presentations, workshops such as a Beneficiary awareness Initiative of the 125 Amendments to the HHC Act of 1921. I farm sustenance and sustainable foods; created a contemporary uluniu, coconut grove to restore the culture of ‘ike niu; worked with the Molokai QLCC teaching art to youth of Molokai; a Kupuna Council participant for the Molokai Heritage Trust securing Molokai Ranch Lands for our community; hana lima to restore ‘aina momona to our lands and waters; la’au lapa’au restoration with ‘Aina Pulapula of Mahana working to restore food security and establish food and water sovereignty on Molokai again.

What would you do to help OHA to fulfill its mandate?
I have co-created and developed education curriculums to improve the wellbeing of our Native Hawaiians through advocacy, research, community engagement, land management and the funding of community programs through political, economic, social and cultural projects and organizations. By organizing and participating in many community meetings, forums, presentations, workshops, I co-created a curriculum of awareness of Hawai’i history, restoration of Hawaiian ‘ike niu, knowledge & techniques; co-teaching visual arts & financial literacy; farming & working to restore food and water security and sovereignty on our Island.

What is the most pressing issue facing Native Hawaiians? What steps do you propose to address this issue?
Ho’ala Hou. Reawakening of the past and present understanding of Hawaii/ American history of acculturation and assimilation that led to the systemic economic and social inequalities, historic trauma, physical, psychological, spiritual dislocation amongst Kanaka Maoli within the general population of Hawaii. Through a process of Reconciliation, promised by the ’93 US Apology Law Sec.1(4)&(5), within the Findings & Recommendations of numerous studies, reports, surveys, etc., by Federal DOI/DOJ & State governments, Task Force, etc., the hope is to huliau, change our paradigm thinking that improves public awareness and understanding, by using cultural rehabilitation values, beliefs, techniques and methods that overcome these social & cultural stigmas of the past, present with a realignment of aspirations towards a better future for all of Hawai’i.

How would you use OHA’s resources to provide opportunities in protecting our cultural resources, traditions and customary practices?
OHA has never received its mandated 20% fair share of the ceded-land revenues from the Public Lands Trust funds. This ongoing shortfall hinders OHA’s ability to fully, effectively and essentially support the Native Hawaiian community as intended. We must ensure that, OHA receives its mandated fair share of revenues. It is crucial for upholding OHA trust obligations, to fully achieve its mission, that supports the needs and aspiration in promoting the well-being of our Native Hawaiian communities. Without this equity, OHA’s ability to fulfill its mandate remains compromised.

What role should the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands play in reducing homelessness and how would you advocate for our native Hawaiian beneficiaries under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act?
Native Hawaiians are not homeless, but many are houseless. Hawai’i is our home. The DHHL, as a state agency, faces inherent conflicts of interest in its role as Trustees of Native and 5f Public Trusts, by ‘controlling’ both simultaneously. By the acceptance of the HHC Act in 1921, and since 1959 as a precondition to statehood, DHHL has not lived up to its mandate: “to rehabilitate the Native Hawaiian people.” Housing is one aspect of the HHC Act’s mandate. In order to fully embrace and execute its role as outlined in the HHC Act, DHHL must prioritize its kuleana to effectively reduce houseless-ness. It has to provide housing solutions that includes not only building homes, but also, create sustainable communities, improve existing infrastructure, install alternative energy systems, and have access to necessary resources and support services.