Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 40, Number 1, 1 January 2023 — Reflecting on 2022; Moving Forward in 2023 [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Reflecting on 2022; Moving Forward in 2023

Iwrite to you as 2022 ends and 2023 begins to mahalo nui all in the Moloka'i/ Lāna'i community who worked with me, met with me throughout the island, and who generously educated me in so many ways. I am elated that I was able to announee that our Moloka'i OHA office re-opened postCOVID! It has already heeome the inviting gathering plaee I envisioned. There we ean, and

have, discussed the benefits ana programs OHA offers. I have heard eommunity concerns as well. Over the year, I visited our people's farms, businesses, fishponds and examples of sustainable living. I marveled at solar-powered hales and completely self-sustaining lifestyles. In celebration, your OHA trustee attended the Kamehameha Day parade and the Moloka'i Paniolo Heritage Rodeo. We live up to our island name, Moloka'i Nui a Hina, or Great Moloka'i, Child of Hina. We advanced and elevated certain unique aspects of our island about whieh we should honor and be proud. Kalaupapa has been a heart-felt focus for me. We improved the mo'olelo storyboards at Pāla'au State Park lookout that were in disrepair. January 2022 was designated as the first Kalaupapa month - Gov. Ige signed this into effect - a triumph of eollaborative efforts.

I firmly believe in assisting those less fortunate - it's a kākou thing! Ke Akua blessed us when I was able to raise $3,000 in scholarship moneys to contribute to the Rena Dudoit Scholarship fund. This is for high school seniors who are considering study in agriculture, animal husbandry and so forth. In December, I raised $500 to donate to the Kualapu'u Charter School 'Ohana Fair. I also raised $1,000 for the Wai'anae Coast

Community Foundation Christmas Fund, $500 worth of Gingerbread House kits for our Moloka'i Keiki, and I am excited to help open Moloka'i's very own diaper bank, working closely with the nonprofit organization Aloha Diaper Bank. This is a costly and essential need that is often overlooked. Look out for the grand opening at the Moloka'i Community Heahh Center later this month. I ended 2022 with gift bag donations to the Ho'olehua Homesteaders' and Hawaiian Civic Club Association's annual holiday pā'ina. We are 'ohana, the word originating with 'oha, or the corm of the taro plant. The taro plant links Hawaiians to the origin of our people. In Hawaiian terms, regardless of how distantly people were related (by blood, by hānai, by marriage), they were still all brothers and sisters. That is the spirit that guides me as your OHA trustee. For 2023, I will continue to keep in close touch with the beneficiaries I represent. I will be open and accessible to kōkua and to bring OHA's programs and services to our islands. Please eome with me as you have done. As Chair Hulu Lindsey said at our investiture ceremony at Kawaiaha'o Church "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." We go together! Hau'oli Makahiki Hou! ■

Community members gather ūt 0HA's office ūt Kūlono 'Oiwi to tolk about the issues offecting Howoiiūns on Moloko'i. - Photo: Courtesy