| The Early Days of OHA |
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OHA: The Beginning
This year marks the silver anniversary of one of the most unigue organizations in the world, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, a State of Hawaii agency considered the “fourth branch of government,” created by the people of Hawaii a quarter century ago.
With the noble mission of bettering the conditions of all Hawaiians, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is known to most by its acronym, “OHA,” that embodies poetic ties to the Hawaiian term ‘oha, the young shoots that sprout off the corm of kalo. ‘Oha is also the “root” of the word ‘ohana, the widely used term for “family,” both close-knit and extended.
Members of OHA's first Board of Trustees participate in an inaugural ceremony at Iolani Palace on Jan. 17, 1981
In 1978, the Hawaii State Constitutional Convention was one forum that drew Hawaiians who were looking for political and social change. The “Con-Con” considered a number of Hawaiian initiatives and issues, including the establishment of an office that would administer revenues generated from ceded lands (former crown and government lands of the Kingdom of Hawaii). As articulated in the State Constitution, the five beneficiaries of those lands, also known as the public land trust, are: public education; the betterment of conditions of native Hawaiians as defined in the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920 (having 50 percent or more Hawaiian blood quantum); development of farm and home ownership; making of public improvements; and the provision of lands for public use.
What passed out of the 1978 Con-Con was a proposed Office of Hawaiian Affairs that would serve all Hawaiians regardless of blood quantum. The mandate to serve all Hawaiians is the impetus for OHA’s long relationship with the State Legislature, which provides matching general funds to the agency. Two other landmark Hawaiian initiatives of the Con-Con ratified by Hawaii voters was the designation of olelo Hawaii (Hawaiian language) as an official language of the state, and the creation of a mandatory Hawaiian studies program in the state Department of Education.
After more than a year of difficult work and planning, volunteers, Hawaiian organizations and the community conducted a huge voter registration campaign that significantly increased the Hawaiian voter population, and in November 1980 the first election of trustees to oversee the fledgling Office of Hawaiian Affairs was held.
Elected to the first board were Adelaide “Frenchy” De Soto, considered by many as the “Mother of OHA” for her tireless work at the 1978 Con-Con and decades of fighting for Hawaiian rights; Joseph Kealoha; Roy Benham; Walter Ritte; Rod Burgess; Thomas Kaulukukui Sr.; Moses Keale; Peter Apo; and Malama Solomon. Two months later, on January 17, 1981, these members of the very first Board of Trustees were inaugurated in a huge public ceremony at Iolani Palace. Fanfare, speeches, hula, music and hope for a brighter future for Hawaiians filled the day.
As we mark OHA’s silver anniversary this November, we honor two and a half decades of growth, change, challenge, commitment and, yes, controversy. Throughout the year, special coverage and events will commemorate and reflect upon this quarter-century of history.
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The Office of Hawaiian Affairs was a concept born out of hearts and minds of many individuals at a time when Hokulea and the Protect Kahoolawe Ohana were buzz words, and Punana Leo and Hawaiian Language Immersion were yet unborn. Controversial Hawaiian community issues were coming to the forefront, and Hawaiian activists, both young and old, began the arduous kuleana of reclaiming Hawaiian identity, rights, lands, cultural practices and more, effectively eroded since the overthrow. Hawaiians were moving to the “political front.”| Next > |
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