Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 23, Number 10, 1 October 2006 — JOHN WAIHE'E IV [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

JOHN WAIHE'E IV

Mahalo nui loa for giving me the opportunity to serve as Offiee I of Hawaiian Affairs trustee for

these past six years. Four years ago, OHA was at a crossroads: the Supreme Court had repealed Act 304 and the state was dispensing no money to OHA; OHA's ability to disburse grants had been completely suspended; and two cases seeking to prevent OHA from serving the Hawaiian people were pending in the courts. Today, OHA receives about $6 million more in annual revenue than it did just prior to the repeal of Act 304; OHA dispenses almost triple the amount of grant money it ever did prior; and both aforementioned court cases as well as a subsequent third have been dismissed. Now, however, is not the time to become complacent. Although we've made some important strides, we also continue to face challenges new and old. In light of the unsuccessful effort to bring the Akaka Bill to the U.S. Senate floor, OHA must remain committed to providing a process for Hawaiians to eome together and establish a Native Hawaiian poliīieal body whieh represents our collective interests. The socio-economical needs of Hawaiians must also continue to be a priority. OHA needs to increase previous efforts, particularly in the areas of heahh, education, housing and eeonomie development. It is also important that we effectively inform our people of available existing programs and services.

I believe the challenge for the Offiee of Hawaiian Affairs will be to fulfill our obligation to advance our people and culture, while simultaneously dealing with any assaults on our rights and existence that may arise. I also believe that these challenges are too big for any one individual. The history of this great plaee. Hawai'i, is, after all, filled with chapters of ordinary people uniting together and overcoming seemingly extraordinary odds. Please join me in working to ensure that OHA's presence is maintained and its potential realized. Throughout my tenure in ol'liee I have had the honor of chairing two committees, and being vice-chairman of four others. Most recently, my board colleagues have given me the opportunity to serve as their vice-chairman. During this time, I have introduced about 40 action items and been fortunate to have had several pass. Some of my more notable accomplishments include: • Championing the efforts for OHA to acquire and preserve Waimea Valley. • Originating OHA's job training and plaeement program, Ka Liu 'Oihana. • Instituted programmatic funds into both youth and adult correctional l'aeilities where inmates are rehabilitated using Hawaiian culture. • Spearheading OHA's involvement in the creation of a master's degree program, four new courses, a video production studio, and a university enrollment outreach program in partnership with the Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies. • Initiating the creation of a comprehensive database for the Nā Lei Na'auao Hawaiian Charter School Allianee. • Developing a policy addressing OHA's role in repatriation and linal disposition activities. • Co-chairing the development of an Office of Hawaiian Affairs Strategic Plan. • Implementing more policies addressing trustee accountability and efficiency than any other trustee in OHA's history. My vision for OHA's future includes: • Maximizing OHA's l'inaneial potential through legislation, eeonomie development, federal funding and intelligent portfolio diversification. • Dramatically increasing the number of beneficiaries being served by OHA programs and services. • Revamping OHA administration in a manner that establishes a l'amilial knowledge and interaction with other Hawaiian trusts, and federal, state and nonprofit agencies. • Actively pursuing land acquisitions. • Achieving eeonomie and political autonomy for Hawaiians. • Convening Hawaiians to decide the model of government that would best represent them. www.johnwaihee.com.