Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 12, 1 December 2011 — Aloha mai kākou, [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Aloha mai kākou,

As I prepare to step down after a decade of serving as your Administrator, and now Chief Executive Officer, I would like to express how mueh I have enjoyed eaeh challenge, every success and all the ways we have worked together with the community on behalf of the Hawaiian people. As one of my hnal acts here at OHA, I am working to support a successful Puhlie Land Trust settlement with the state Administration. A successful agreement would finally bring closure to an issue dating back to 1978 - and one that is crucial to achieving self-reliance for all Hawaiians. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs appreciates Gov. Neil Abercrombie's leadership in offering property in Kaka'ako as payment to cover a settlement of past-due amounts owed the organization from the Puhlie Land Trust. It is our priority to do due diligence on the proposal to ensure it makes sense for OHA and the Native Hawaiian people. Our first obligation is to ensure there are no legal or other barriers to using

the land in the best interests of Native Hawaiians. OHA's vision is to create a master plan to utilize the land in consultation with key stakeholders, such as Kamehameha Schools, Hawai'i Community Development Authority, the University of Hawai'i as well as members of the community. Revenue derived from the land would be used to support OHA and Native Hawaiians into the future. We look forward to working with the members of the Legislature as they deliberate the possible conveyance of these valuable and historic properties. As policymakers, they have the keen responsibility for balancing the needs of our entire community. OHA is convinced that the members of the Legislature will see the wisdom of resolving this longstanding controversy. To read more about this proposal, please turn to page 18 for our cover story, whieh is dedicated to shedding light on the proposed agreement and the properties it comprises. Your input is important to us. Throughout December, OHA will host puhlie meetings across the state to share information and gather eommunity input on the proposal. Your comments are

also weleome by emailing Kakaako.comments @ oha.org. As for my departure, I originally had only intended to stay at OHA for two years when j I joined the organization after 3 1 years at the I Judiciary. But since the mission of OHA is so I honorable, it was difficult to turn my back on it. Although there were difficult times, I never 1 doubted the mission or the work we are trying to achieve. I will leave OHA at the end of the

year, but my commitment to the Native Hawaiian community will continue to endure.

Me ka 'oia'i'o, (LC(j (aJ. Clyde W. Nāmu'o Chief Executive Officer