Hawaiian issues matter

Land.

We need to resolve the policy issues surrounding the land settlement, which was reached in 2013, and the development plans for Kaka‘ako. This is an urban area that is currently sitting undeveloped, therefore we must help people understand that it is in the interest of the beneficiaries to optimize development. OHA should shift focus to revenue generation. Though OHA is not in the development business, Kaka‘ako Makai should be turned into a masterpiece of live/work/play development. OHA should seek to coordinate such development with Kamehameha Schools, Howard Hughes Corp, the state and other entities to create an integrated master planned community for everyone to enjoy. This will generate hundreds of millions of dollars in condo sales and lease rent for OHA, creating a wealth of funds for expanded programs that our community will benefit from for years to come. Many jobs created from this development will benefit not just the Hawaiian community but all of Hawai‘i. 

Housing.

As a homesteader, I am truly fortunate to have a home and agricultural lot. Unfortunately, there are many Native Hawaiians who are not as blessed to enjoy owning a home in their own ancestral land. Native Hawaiians are ranked at the bottom for the lowest home ownership among all other groups in our state. One of the ways in which we can improve this dire situation is to partner with and collaborate with government agencies, nonprofits, and other organizations to find affordable housing solutions for the Hawaiian Community. OHA should be aggressively working with DHHL, local labor and the private sector to create an affordable plan so that the homesteaders currently waiting can obtain affordable housing that can be constructed through self-help or in conjunction with local labor. On an educational level, we can expand current OHA Programs for Hawaiians on all islands to be mentored in construction or move on into a relevant specialized trade in this industry. In addition, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and OHA’s land division ideally should merge into a partnership intent on resolving the houseless and homeless problem with a yearly report to the Legislature on its progress and setbacks. OHA needs to show great improvement in this arena so that beneficiaries cannot wait year after year and see no results for affordable housing. The quicker we address this important issue, the sooner more Native Hawaiians will be able to own their own homes and have a better quality of life. When Native Hawaiians thrive, so will the rest of Hawai‘i.

Grow it.

AGRICULTURE - DHHL and OHA must work together to ensure Hawaiians living on agricultural lands are able to purchase, grow and harvest food to feed their family and even their community.  The COVID lockdown is a perfect example of why our community should have and integrate agricultural and pastoral practices.  

With the current COVID Pandemic, I witnessed first-hand the dependency on outside import of food products (as well as the rest of the state) and saw how quickly food shortage developed.  I wanted to contribute something of significance to my community and was fortunate to connect with and help bring the Malama Meals program to Moloka‘i. These weekly delicious prepared meals helped to feed 20% of Moloka‘i’s population. Thousands of meals were delivered to Moloka‘i’s residents especially to the Kupuna’s who were unable to provide cooked meals for themselves.  The desire to see self-sustenance amongst our people strengthened my resolve as I realized serious attention should be focused on Sustainable agriculture not just on Moloka‘i but throughout our Hawaiian Islands.  I believe a comprehensive policy should be in place relating to how OHA and DHHL can ensure food security for its beneficiaries in the coming years especially if another outbreak were to occur.  Hydroponic and aquaponics is also a viable way to increase our independence from imported foods.