07-26-2014, 03:12 PM
KathyH asked: Opihikao, I'm wondering, you said OHA should clean house but yet you can find only one candidate worth voting for in the five seats. How can it clean house if there isn't fresh blood competing for the Trustee seats?
Just from my personal knowledge, which weighs on my decision(s): Several of the candidates are placed by other sitting Trustees, some of which are still serving, one who is "retiring". None have a record or resume that is (IMO) considered impressive. Five (5) seats open. Oahu and Maui have sitting Trustees who are running again with little competition. Majority rules, etc., given the western protocol which OHA operates under.
In the face of great adversity with the "roll call", the gutted Akaka Bill, nation building/reinstating, etc., there are few who can legally argue any position. Not only on a national level ("the occupier"), but on an international level. This will be the first course of business for the new board.
The second big issue is the settlement OHA received in the Kaka'ako deal. We (beneficiaries) apparently "lost" over $225 million dollars in value. In fact, as I understand it, allegedly, supposedly, potentially, some sitting Trustees signed the bloody document without even reading the entire settlement. Somewhat like the recinding of Kamana'o Crabbe, CEO's, letter to John Kerry. Unanimously recinded without reading the actual letter. WTH? Who signs anything without reading the document?
The simple google search of this debacle is here (link below), provides a plethora of articles and opinions on this subject alone:
https://www.google.com/search?q=kamana'o+crabbe+letter&rls=com.microsoft:en-US:IE-Address&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7NDKA_enUS557&gws_rd=ssl
For the record, the two (2) Trustees who recinded their recinding of the CEO's letter (sounds ridiculous, right?) was addressed to Chairman, Colette Machado. It never went to John Kerry. Thus, no response to the letter sent by Kamana'o Crabbe will ever be issued. Those questions are vital to the argument of "reistating of a nation", and the OHA push is for "tribe" status at the present time.
http://www.oha.org/news/oha-submits-comm...government
There are many videos of Mililani Trask over the course of several decades. Some despise her, some adore her, but all respect her being a warrior for human rights. Not just kanaka maoli, but all people. Her reputation varies, however, this is not a popularity contest, this is serious business in very trying times.
Her sister was "more scary" (Haunani K.) as a Professor at the UH. OMG. Fierce woman.
If we have to utilize OHA as a State entity to benefit all of our communities, personally, I want a warrior to help "clean house" and return OHA back to working for the people. Frankly, I wish Moanikeala Akaka would run when Bob Lindsay retires (our island's OHA Trustee). She would be perfect for the job at hand.
Thanks again for asking. This is not just about us Hawaiians, this is about our public lands, public owned resources, and public rights. OHA has more money than the State of Hawai'i. They have wasted so much, time to take back control of our USA given entity.
I am of the mind to work with whatever dictates a better future for my keiki and mo'opuna.
JMO.
Just from my personal knowledge, which weighs on my decision(s): Several of the candidates are placed by other sitting Trustees, some of which are still serving, one who is "retiring". None have a record or resume that is (IMO) considered impressive. Five (5) seats open. Oahu and Maui have sitting Trustees who are running again with little competition. Majority rules, etc., given the western protocol which OHA operates under.
In the face of great adversity with the "roll call", the gutted Akaka Bill, nation building/reinstating, etc., there are few who can legally argue any position. Not only on a national level ("the occupier"), but on an international level. This will be the first course of business for the new board.
The second big issue is the settlement OHA received in the Kaka'ako deal. We (beneficiaries) apparently "lost" over $225 million dollars in value. In fact, as I understand it, allegedly, supposedly, potentially, some sitting Trustees signed the bloody document without even reading the entire settlement. Somewhat like the recinding of Kamana'o Crabbe, CEO's, letter to John Kerry. Unanimously recinded without reading the actual letter. WTH? Who signs anything without reading the document?
The simple google search of this debacle is here (link below), provides a plethora of articles and opinions on this subject alone:
https://www.google.com/search?q=kamana'o+crabbe+letter&rls=com.microsoft:en-US:IE-Address&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7NDKA_enUS557&gws_rd=ssl
For the record, the two (2) Trustees who recinded their recinding of the CEO's letter (sounds ridiculous, right?) was addressed to Chairman, Colette Machado. It never went to John Kerry. Thus, no response to the letter sent by Kamana'o Crabbe will ever be issued. Those questions are vital to the argument of "reistating of a nation", and the OHA push is for "tribe" status at the present time.
http://www.oha.org/news/oha-submits-comm...government
There are many videos of Mililani Trask over the course of several decades. Some despise her, some adore her, but all respect her being a warrior for human rights. Not just kanaka maoli, but all people. Her reputation varies, however, this is not a popularity contest, this is serious business in very trying times.
Her sister was "more scary" (Haunani K.) as a Professor at the UH. OMG. Fierce woman.
If we have to utilize OHA as a State entity to benefit all of our communities, personally, I want a warrior to help "clean house" and return OHA back to working for the people. Frankly, I wish Moanikeala Akaka would run when Bob Lindsay retires (our island's OHA Trustee). She would be perfect for the job at hand.
Thanks again for asking. This is not just about us Hawaiians, this is about our public lands, public owned resources, and public rights. OHA has more money than the State of Hawai'i. They have wasted so much, time to take back control of our USA given entity.
I am of the mind to work with whatever dictates a better future for my keiki and mo'opuna.
JMO.