Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 38, Number 1, 1 January 2021 — Aloha mai kākou, [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Aloha mai kākou,

/ 'ŌLELO A KA POUHANA V ^ MESSAGE FROM THE CEO r

A NEW YEAR'S PULE Hou (vs. New, fresh, recent.)

Growing up, I loved New Year's Eve - 1 thought it was the best thing ever because New Year's Eve was always spent at my grandfather' s house. My cousins and I would get firecrackers every Christmas instead of socks or underwear, whieh thrilled us. On Hawai'i Island at that time there were no rules about popping firecrackers, so this was a big deal and something all us kids looked forward to with anticipation. The week between the two holidays was a time of preparation for the annual pā'ina at my grandfather' s house - we'd make poi and kalua the pig. My grandfather was pure Hawaiian and he would always invite my Japanese side of the family and they, and all the families in our Niuli'i community in Kohala, would eome together to celebrate. At midnight, my grandfather would gather everyone together, and have us put aside our noisy festivities for a few moments of quiet. And in that silence, as we transitioned together from the old to the new, my grandfather would pule. He offered a simple, heartfelt prayer, giving thanks for the blessings of the previous year, and asking for Ke Akua's blessing in the new. This 'ohana tradition of New Year's pule that my grandfather established all those years ago has continued in my family. This practice of pule is not only for 'ohana, but for all areas of our lives, including our work. Here at OHA we take this time to mahalo Ke Akua for all we have been able to accomplish despite the daunting challenges of 2020, as well as to pule for OHA's new leadership, new strategic plan, and the new ways that we will move forward together as an organization in 202 1 . In Ka Wai Ola's first issue of 2021, we focus on new leadership, new vision and new purpose at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Our new chair of the Board of Trustees, Carmen "Hulu" Lindsey, shares her vision and mana'o for the work ahead, OHA's

new legislative package for the 2021 Legislative Session is presented, and our two new trustees are introduced. And, to share the accomplishments of the previous fiscal year, OHA's 2020 Annual Report is included as a special insert. As difficult as 2020 was, it brought out the best in so many of our people. There were endless examples of aloha, mālama, and lokomaika'i (generosity) as 'ōiwi gave their

time, talent and resources to kāko'o those who needed kōkua. I am so proud of our people and so optimistic about our future as a lāhui. A

I am reminded of my grandfather' s New Y ear' s pule ane the lesson to our 'ohana that even in times of hardship, we ean find things for whieh to be grateful, and remain hopeful for good things in the time to eome. As we reflect on 2020, while planning for 2021 and beyond, Kānaka Maoli must continue to laulima and remain focused on our aloha for our lāhui and a vision of a Hawai'i where our 'ohana, our 'āina, and our mo'omeheu are healthy, vibrant and thriving. ■

Sylvia M. Hussey, Ed.D. Ka Pouhana/Chief Executive 0fficer