By

POSTED: Wednesday, October 15, 2008

At-Large (1)

Haunani Apoliona

Age: 59

Job: OHA trustee and chairwoman

Other: Work on National Congress of American Indians; Alaska Federation of Natives

What is the most pressing issue facing native Hawaiians, and what would you do about it?

  OHA's continued advocacy for passage of the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act (NHGRA) is critical for the federal government to affirm native Hawaiians as aboriginal, indigenous native people, meriting recognition as a political class of people rather than a “;raced-based”; ethnic group. Passage of NHGRA will enable native Hawaiians to unify in establishing an entity which will resolve questions on ceded lands and other long-standing Hawaiian issues in consultation and negotiations with native Hawaiians, the state and federal governments. Concurrently, future legal challenges and disruptions by various divisive groups which currently cloud resolution of issues will be dissipated. 'Onipa'a.

Helene Honda

Age: 30

Job: Preventive care specialist II Past: Counsel federally funded insured populations on preventive care resource

What is the most pressing issue facing native Hawaiians, and what would you do about it?

  I support the Akaka Bill and the creation of a Hawaiian entity to establish a political relationship with the federal government. Hawaiians need to protect our existing preference programs. I want to protect the Alii Trust, including the Kamehameha Schools, Liliuokalani Trust, and all education, health and housing Hawaiian preference programs, including Hawaiian Home Lands, OHA and Alu Like. Because we do not have a political relationship with the federal government, like other native Americans, all Hawaiian preference programs are in jeopardy. Therefore, even though the Akaka Bill is not perfect, I support its passage in Congress. ...

Colin C. Kippen

Age: 58

Job: Native Ha-waiian Education Council exec. dir.

Past: Dan Inouye counsel, Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

What is the most pressing issue facing native Hawaiians, and what would you do about it?

  Hawaiians' story of the loss of sovereignty, language, culture and 'aina is all too familiar. So too is the following story of disparities in income, well-being and opportunity. This narrative of victimhood, underclass and well-intentioned rescue has become all too comfortable for far too many of us, oftentimes creating the very circumstances we seek to change. We must retool our thinking and, rather than taking care of Hawaiians, begin to empower Hawaiians to take care of themselves. This is the pono path of self-respect, competency and fulfillment that so many of us seek. It is true self-determination.

Sol Nalua'i

Age: 68

Job: Bioresearch scientist, family medicine-surgery; health planning consultant

Past: U.S. Air Force engineer

What is the most pressing issue facing native Hawaiians, and what would you do about it?

  OHA must provide neutral, unbiased and equal efforts, resources and funding for sovereignty education on all internationally recognized “;political status”; of 1) independence, 2) free association and 3) integration, to all Hawaiian communities statewide, to unite and empower Hawaiian people to make informed decisions of their own free choice, and not by OHA trustees' and administration's choice.

Big Island (1)

Robert K. Lindsey

Age: 60

Job: OHA trustee

Past: Graduated UH-Manoa and schools of hard knocks and common sense

What is the most pressing issue facing native Hawaiians, and what would you do about it?

  The most pressing issue facing native Hawaiians in my view is “;regaining our inner aloha spirit.”; When we are able to stop blaming others for “;being strangers in our own land,”; only then can we move from the past, to the present and toward a bountiful future. Education is the pathway to that future. Our native Hawaiian charter schools are the answer. The programs are rigorous, and the gains students are making in Hawaiian knowledge, reading and math are phenomenal. Aloha is the foundation of our schools. When learning is fun, haumana (students) thrive and find success. OHA has been a primary partner. ...

William Meyers

Age: 58

Job: Mental health technician Past: Chairman, OHA's Native Hawaiian Historical Preservation Council

What is the most pressing issue facing native Hawaiians, and what would you do about it?

  There are many pressing issues: (1) developments that uncover Hawaiian burial sites and process delays of internment, (2) the continual use of Hawaii as an experimental area, (3) monetary recovery for using offshore resources. As trustee, I would empower the Native Hawaiian Historical Preservation Council which are represented by council members from each island to have the ability to monitor new and old development sites, and improve the internment process for native Hawaiian/Hawaiian burials. I will notify Hawaii County officials; the mayor and planning department heads to include OHA in the decision-making process.

Molokai (1)

Colette Machado

Age: 58

Job: OHA trustee, Molokai and Lanai Past: More than 20 years of dedication to public service

What is the most pressing issue facing native Hawaiians, and what would you do about it?

  The well-being of native Hawaiian families and communities requires an expanding and sustainable resource base. Since the 2000 Rice v. Cayetano U.S. Supreme Court ruling, the OHA resource base has constantly come under attack. OHA has successfully defeated these challenges. In February 2008, the Hawaii State Supreme Court ruled that the ceded public lands can no longer be sold. OHA acquired two parcels of land to set aside for the future Native Hawaiian sovereign government: Wao Kele O Puna and Waimea Park. OHA signed a 30-year commitment with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to provide $3 million a year. ...

Waipa Purdy

Age: 62

Job: Retired Hawaiian Air customer service agent

Past: Served people with aloha, honesty, respect

What is the most pressing issue facing native Hawaiians, and what would you do about it?

  There is a whole gamut of issues that face our native Hawaiians: Our Hawaiian culture and traditions are vulnerable to foreign influence. The current priorities include issues surrounding ceded lands, Hawaiian Home Lands, economic sustainability, health, welfare, education, Hawaiian rights, conservation of our natural resources and desecration of sacred areas. There are OHA-funded programs that touch on all of these issues. I support activities and programs that will improve, protect and benefit Hawaii and its people, as a whole. We need to know that our OHA funds are reaching those in need. My concern is whether they are efficient ...