LEO 'ELELE - TRUSTEE MESSAGES

Haunani Apoliona, MSW
Chairperson, Trustee, At-large

E o e nā 'ōiwi 'ōlino, nā pulapula a Hāloa, mai Hawai'i a Ni'ihau, puni ke ao mālamalama. Aloha e nā kūpuna kahiko, nāna e ho'oūlu mai nei, iā kākou e holopono, a loa'a e ka lei lanakila. E hana kākou me ke ahonui, pili me ka hā a ke aloha, 'oiai e kūlia i ka nu'u, a kau i ka 'iu o luna. Ka'i mai e nā hoa kuilima, lei 'ia i ka pua lehua, akāka wale ho'i ka mana'o, i ka 'ā o ke ahi awakea. Welowelo e ka hae Hawai'i, i hō'ailona wehi no nā kini. Ke Akua pu me kākou i pono ke ea o ka 'āina. Ku'e au i ka hewa, ku'e, ku au i ka pono ku.

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou iā kākou pakahi.

We who work at OHA, from Hawai'i to Washington D.C., to advance the mission of this Office established 30 years ago are focused on service — not self-service and we take our kuleana seriously. As we close 2007 and begin 2008, we sincerely cherish those Native Hawaiians and non-Natives, kama'āina and malihini, who join with us in our work to better the conditions of Native Hawaiians, our nā 'ōiwi 'ōlino.

Highlighted in my fifth annual State of OHA and the Hawaiian community address in December 2007, three mana'o ha'i, mana'o nui framed my remarks, setting a foundation for launching into the year 2008.

First, just by the nature of who we are as Native Hawaiians ,we can make Hawai'i and the world a better place. “Our ancestors were experts in relationships with the universe. They knew how to balance man, nature and god. They understood that harmony and balance meant survival and well-being. As direct decsendants of this legacy, we cherish and continue these values. True to our nature Native Hawaiians strive to live with great regard and reverence to this concept — lōkahi. Just by the nature of who we are holding close to our cultural values, we can help to make Hawai'i, the nation and the world a better place.” If there is the will and the discipline we are also in a position to not only participate but to lead for the good of Native Hawaiians and Hawai'i.

Second, Native Hawaiians are on the threshold of critical decisions. Our historic task and opportunity is to re-organize a 21st century native nation, weaving spirit, fiber and values from our tradition and culture into a governance structure to manage and build assets to improve economic, social and spiritual well-being for Native Hawaiians, wherever they reside. We must bring the best from our past into the present for the future while never loosing sight of those broader political and legal forces, constant and at work and sometimes from within, that seek to diminish or eliminate our successful achievement.

Third, “ 'a'apo mai i ka 'ike, 'a'apo mai i ka maopopo pono, 'a'apo mai i ka lei o ka lanakila. Mai namunamu, he mea ho'opaumanawa kēlā. E kūkulu a'e kākou no ke ea o ka 'āina me ke aloha a me ke ahonui.” Let us seize the moment and not waste time grumbling. Or as kupuna Aunty Mālia Craver counsels us, “get a grip and leave a legacy”. It is time for realism and maturity. No one can do it for us. We need to do it ourselves. “It is a matter of stewardship and kuleana.” Seize the moment. It will not come again. Let us do our best to do good for Native Hawaiians and for Hawai'i. “Hawai'i pono'ī e ka lāhui e, i kau hana nui, e ui. Those true to Hawai'i, the Hawaiian people, your great duty is to prevail.” 38/48