Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 23, Number 10, 1 October 2006 — WILLY (KEALAKAHI) MEYERS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WILLY (KEALAKAHI) MEYERS

My desire to become OHA trustee is to be of service to all native Hawaiians and

Hawaiians from all capacities. To empower, educate and improve the quality of life is the modality to ensure our people will achieve their highest goals. As vice-chairman of the Native Hawaiian Historical Preservation Advisory Council, I have obtained awareness of destruction of Hawaiian historical sites due to over-develop-ment. Working with a team of other professionals on the eouneil has given me the insight of a need to be proactive toward all Hawaiian issues across all the Hawaiian Islands. Furthermore, as a current "live-in" caretaker of the Kahuwai Ahupua'a in Kapoho, I understand the need for preservation of Hawaiian cultural sites. I believe that it is through education and awareness that the people of Hawai'i will understand what we are currently facing and hopefully as a group find answers to ensuring a brighter future for all Hawai'i people. I am prepared to make changes in laws that will diminish the current barriers to progress. Thus, this will promote forward movement towards gaining an improved lifestyle for all. Upon being elected as a trustee, my venue would be to increase the communities' trust and belief in OHA's mission. I look forward to taking a proactive stance in culminating cohesiveness among all groups of interest and more specifically those isolated populations who need the "awareness and education" on Hawaiian issues. In summary, my utmost goal is to ensure that all Hawai'i people have an educated awareness that will promote forward movement and camaraderie.