[ OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS ]

Only 2 of 4 OHA
seats draw hopefuls

Colette Machado and Donald
Cataluna are running unopposed

Although four of nine board seats for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs are up for election, only two seats have challengers.

Both Colette Machado, trustee for Molokai and Lanai, and Donald Cataluna, trustee for Kauai and Niihau, are running unopposed for new four-year terms.

Chairwoman Haunani Apoliona, who has been on the board since 1996 and is seeking a third term, faces three challengers for her seat as trustee-at-large: Frankie Kay Kawelo of Honolulu, Kaui (Bu La'ia) Hill of Kula, Maui, and John Sabey of Waipahu.

Lillian "Linda" Dela Cruz, trustee for Hawaii, faces a field of six competitors: former OHA trustee Louis Hao of Hilo, Jackie Burke of Keaau, Kalikoolani Chun of Kailua-Kona, Reynolds Kamakawiwoole of Honokaa, Kahea Kinimaka-Stocksdale of Hilo and Dickie Nelson of Kealakekua.

Apoliona, who has worked as a social worker and served as president of Alu Like Inc., said she has spent the last four years "improving and stabilizing the OHA board" and its operations. During the next four years, she envisions "advancing Hawaiian self-determination and creation of a Hawaiian nation."

She also said she will "work with the state to reconcile past due and unpaid revenue payments due to native Hawaiians for the use of ceded lands."

Sabey said he is "running for office to help our native Hawaiian people regain their sovereignty." He also believes that "all voters, whether Hawaiian or not, should be asked to vote for or against this new nation."

Hill, a comedian who previously ran unsuccessfully for governor, said native Hawaiians need to "get back their independence so they can govern and control their resources and take care for themselves."

Kawelo did not submit a candidate statement or return calls.

A professional musician and singer, Dela Cruz of Hilo is seeking her second term, and one of her priorities is completing the native Hawaiian registry.

"I am running because there are programs I started and are not finished and could be completed if I stayed another year."

Former trustee Hao, who is running for Dela Cruz's seat with five other competitors, said, "I am committed to the rights of Hawaiians as to self-determination, self-government and economic self-sufficiency including health care, educational programs, economic assistance and cultural practices."

Newcomer Burke, who holds a master's degree in public health, wants to establish "a comprehensive health care plan for all native Hawaiians." She also wants to establish "a bank where every native Hawaiian owns one share. This will be a powerful financial institution to deposit our wealth and protect our assets."

Kamakawiwoole said, "It's time that leadership extends from this office to bring our people together in the restoration and reinstatement of the Hawaiian Nation."

Kinimaka-Stocksdale, who holds a master's degree in social work, wants to "always do what is best for our communities, and not individuals."

Nelson said he wants to serve "in this time of great peril" when "we either stand together or fall because of our divisions." He said "what is critical to OHA's effectiveness is gaining the trust of the Hawaiian community."

Chun could not be reached for comment.