Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 7, Number 1, 1 January 1990 — Greetings from OHA for the new year [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Greetings from OHA for the new year

'Oli 'oli pu kakou. Let us be joyful this season of Aloha. In days of old, the coming of a new year and the passing of the old was a time of great significance to the Hawaiians. The beginning of the New Year was the time for the 'ohana (family) to eome together and "set things right." It was a time to recognize the wrongs and the hurts they have inflicted on eaeh other whether by acts of commission or omission, to move towards resolution by mihi (repentance), kala (forgiveness), and 'oki (severance). It was a time to set aside the annoyances of daily life and turn a joyful face to the dawn of the new year. It was a time to reflect on the past, and focus on the future. The new year was welcomed by the exchange of hala lei among family, friends, and acquaintances to symbolize the passing (hala) of the old year. It is a custom still practiced today among some Hawaiians. It is not uneommon, at this time also, to have the family serenade, and share their favorite songs with, other families. Onee again it is the time to reaffirm the aloha we have for eaeh other. We would like to take this opportunity, as the new year begins, to reflect on our past deeds and look forward to future hopes and goals. It was a busy year for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs as our trustees undertook new challenges and embarked on I Luna A'e (Moving Upward) with its initiatives such as Operation Ea (the blueprint for native Hawaiian entitlements), Operation 'Ohana (enro!lment of descendants of the original island people into an encompassing Hawaiian 'ohana), Operation Ka Po'e (a plebiscite on the single definition of native Hawaiian), and Operation Hui 'Imi (a task force to coordinate the planning of services to Hawaiians). OHA trustees gave extensive testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs, held in August, here in Hawai'i and chaired by Sen. Daniel K. Inouye. OHA participated in many other se-

minars, discussions, and negotiations on behalf of Hawaiians to preserve our culture, traditions, and ancient rights and to protect the Hawaiian 'ohana, of the past, the present and the future. Among the continuing projects of OHA are the Native Hawaiian Historic Preservation Task Force, the Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund, the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation and the Kupuna Program. During 1989, there was a continuing emergence of a great Hawaiian consciousness, a coming together of many 'ohana as one to examine and address issues of importance, especially the right to selfdetermination. OHA has provided a forum for this and many other issues. As it is in any family, many opinions have been put forward and heated discussions have taken plaee. What is important is how we disagree with eaeh other and how we resolve the differences. Through it all, we must keep our eyes on the horizon and on the goals that ean be

achieved collectively. When all is said and done, like the 'ohana of old, Hawaiians must unite to assert their rightful plaee in their community. As this new decade dawns, OHA pledges to work hard for the federal and state entitlements due to all the Hawaiian people. We believe we ean demonstrate that Hawaiians ean work together for the betterment of the entire 'ohana. In this new year, we must set a clear example of unity, strength and purpose. We must be resolved to follow the footsteps of our ancestors in a manner that our keiki will be proud to follow in to the next century. To that purpose, we at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs pledge ourselves. And so, in spirit, we plaee the lei hala over the shoulders of all Hawaiians wherever they are; as well as all who are Hawaiian-in-heart, and extend our hands in the offer of friendship for the greater good. From all of the staff at OHA, we extend best wishes for the New Year. May it be a prosperous one for you.

Richard Paglinawan OHA administrator

» ,.x 'mw miwm ' w Stan Lum Deputy OHA administrator