Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 39, Number 2, 1 February 2022 — LORI KANOELANI WALKER [ARTICLE]

LORI KANOELANI WALKER

POU KĀKO'O MĀLAMA WAIWAI lntegroted Assets Manager PAIA 'ĀINA Land division 'EONO MAKAHIKI MA OHA 6 years at OHA FROM: Ponahawai Ahupua'a, Hilo Moku, Hawai'i lsland EDUCATION: • Hilo High School • UH Mānoa (BA Hawaiian Language and Doctorate in Architecture) OHA's Mana i Mauli Ola Strategic Plan recognizes the connection that Native Hawaiians have to the aina as a foundational strength. For "the land is a chief; man its servant." Therefore, mālama 'āina is OHA's first beneficiary; eaeh member of the Land Division team has deeply personal kuleana to Hawai'i and to the aina. OHA's aina portfolio amasses approximately 30,000 acres throughout the pae aina ranging from agricultural, commercial, and conservation assets. What is your kuleana at OHA and what major project are you working on at the moment? "We oversee and implement management activities on OHA's landholdings. Currently, I am working on rejining the master planfor our Wahiawā lands surrounding Kūkaniloko." Why did you choose to work at OHA and what is the best thing about your job? "I chose to work here because of the kuleana - 1 get to serve our places and communities all across Hawai'i. The best thing about myjob is that 'āina is our primary beneficiary and we rea\ly get to embody 'he ali'i ka 'āina, he kauwā ke kanaka' in our work. We listen to ourplaces and work with our communities to interpret how best to mālama our lands." What is the most important thing for people to know about you? "I am still and always learning." Who has been a role model to you? "My brother, teacher and friend, Jonathan Ching - for his dedication to aloha and aloha aina." What is the funniest thing that has happened in your professional career? "Beingfeatured in Ka Wai Ola!" What is your best memory at OHA? Anytime we get toputplants in the ground. ■