Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 15, Number 10, 1 October 1998 — ʻ98 candidates in focus [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ʻ98 candidates in focus

The views and opinions expressed in '98 candidates infocus are of the individual candidates and do not necessarily reflect those of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Experience: Chair, Ho'omalu ma Kualoa (1997 - present); OHA Trustee (1992 - 1996). Administrator, State Heallh Planing and Development Agency (1897 - 93); Member, State House of Representatives for 10 years (1974 - '82, '84 - '86); first woman to serve as Minority Leader and Floor Leader; Presidential appointment, Chair, Native Hawaiians Study Commission (1981-83). Background: Born in Honolulu; youngest daughter of Victor and Elizabeth Duvauchelle Boyd; educated at Punahou School and the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa; mother of one son and two daughters; five grandchildren. It's always strange to see your life summarized in a few lines describing a position and the years you held that title. The struggles and joys seem to disappear — the meaning is lost. Listing 1 0 years in the State Legislature doesn't capture my excitement over successfully adding the Native Hawaiian rights section to the Water Code bill. Or

the fear and anger I felt when my ehildren were threatened because I demanded investigations of links between organized crime and government. Being identified as chair of the Native Hawaiian Study Commission doesn't convey the frustration of seeing Hawaiian history manipulated for political purposes. Or the sense of vindication felt when the formal dissent submitted to Congress became the basis of the "Apology Bill." We're often hesitant to share the personal meaning of our public lives. Afraid to be seen as "show off ' or too human. Too often, as candidates, we don't share why we want to serve. But I think this election is too important to simply let voters read between the lines. I want you to know why I want to be your trustee: • My only ambition is Native Hawaiian betterment. I've had power and position. Now, all I want is to be able to contribute what I know are strong skills and experienee that ean make a difiference in nego-

tiating with the next governor, advocating before the legislature or taking a stand before Congress. Most important, I want to listen and then speak for you. • I offer independence. Too many candidates are running as though the election is about the chairmanship of the board — not serving your interests. I want to see the OHA entitlement spent on Hawaiian needs, not building up the financial power of the office. I want to see OHA make its decision based on what you want — not what keeps other trustees on one side or the other. • I want practical, community-based solutions. I've watched as trustees review programs, budgets, grant requests — and sat ashamed at the paternal and condescending attitude demonstrated toward other Hawaiians. OHA has the funding resources — but the ideas, creativity and hands-on knowledge is with the people solving their own problems. I'm asking for your vote. I will not betray your trust. ■

DO YOU WANT A BUSINESSPERSON SITTING ON THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES? Aloha! I'm Larry Joy Kiyohiro, and I'm an O'ahu trustee candidate. As the Office of Hawaiian Affairs continues to evolve, Hawaiian voters have the opportunity to elect llve trustees Nov. 3. Eaeh Hawaiian has five votes, and I encourage you to look closely at the qualifications of all the candidates before making a decision. A foremost consideration should be what kinds of skills and work experience are needed on the OHA board. Another factor to consider is how your five choices will be able to work together with the existing board members, whether the "group dynamics" will result in the best representation for all Hawaiian beneficiaries. After all, it is our ehildren's future at stake in the eleehon. Background. I grew up in Pearl City and have lived in Kaimukī. I graduated '75, the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa and the Gonzaga University School of Law. I've been married to my wife Joslyn for 1 4 years and we have two kids. Our family lives in Mililani and I've been active in coaching such youth sports as soccer and basketball. Work Experience. I own and operate a money management business as a regis-

tered investment advisor, and I invest funds for pension plans, trust funds and private accounts. As a licensed attorney, I also maintain a small legal practice emphasizing trust law and estate planning. I previously worked as a portfolio manager at First Hawaiian Bank, where I had discretionary authority to manage more than $200 million assets for clients such as Kapi'olani Heakh ($20 million), Hawai'i Community Foundation ($40 million), the UH Endowment Fund ($17 million) and Shriner's Hospital ($20 million). As an investment banker in Japan for five years, I have successfully structured numerous international financings for many agencies such as the Asian Development Bank, and multinational corporations such as Royal Dutch Petroleum, always addressing the various needs of eaeh client in order to aeeomplish the best results for all. What OHA needs. As OHA continues to evolve, the skills needed to be an effective trustee have heeome more specialized. As a former banker, as a practicing attorney focusing on estate planning and as a businessman running an investment firm, I ean bring the skills needed at OHA. OHA needs a trustee with skills in finance, law and investments. What OHA ean do. Hawaiians today

need jobs. We also need technical training and education to improve our job skills to stay competitive. Hawaiians need more funds to start their own businesses. Organizations need expertise in writing grants. As a trustee, my top priority will focus on employment, training and financial assistance for Hawaiians. Although OHA should coordinate more closely with Alu Like in this regard, there's so mueh more that OHA ean do in the areas, especially when you consider OHA's $300 million in trust funds. Longer term, a Unaneial infrastructure needs to be designed to ensure eeonomie stability for Hawaiians for generations to eome. OHA needs to chart its own course toward self-sufficiency. It's time for OHA to look at setting up for-profit financial institutions that directly benefit Hawaiians. A credit union for Hawaiians would likely thrive and be an active supporter within our community. A mortgage lender specializing in loans (up to 60 years in maturity) could help to make home ownership a reality for many. A low-cost health care insurance provider should be a priority as well. Your vote will allow me to use my specialized skills in solving problems we Hawaiians face today. ■

Kīiiii'ii Boyd Kamali'i O'ahu

LarryJoy Kiyohiro O'ahu I: m 4 M n ?■ &