October 2011 KA WAI OLA COLUMN
`Ano`ai kakou… OHA has begun its search for a new Maui board member to replace Trustee Boyd Mossman, who has accepted an important assignment by his Church and plans to resign as of November 1, 2011.
I’m taking this opportunity to send my deepest Mahalo to Trustee Mossman for his years of dedicated service to our beneficiaries not only within the County of Maui but the State of Hawaii. I offer my fondest Aloha and best wishes to Trustee Mossman and his wife Marvalee Maile Kaiaokamalie Mossman as they begin their new positions as temple president and matron of the Kona Hawaii Temple.
THE SEARCH FOR A NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Will begin soon…
On September 1, 2011, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser ran a front-page article stating that OHA was preparing to replace its CEO Clyde Namu’o. I am grateful for the professional leadership that Mr. Namu’o has brought to OHA during the past decade. Our agency has grown by leaps and bounds over the many years that I have been a Trustee. Through the years there have been many changes in our programs, personnel, and in our strategic plans.
While some people may be hesitant or resistant to making changes, I look forward to change with great enthusiasm and always with the hope that it will bring new energy, ideas, and challenges to take on — whatever the future may bring.
In our search for a new Trustee and a new CEO for OHA, candidates must have a vision for the future, dedication, a belief in the goal of attaining sovereignty and self-sufficiency for our Hawaiian People, patience, and tolerance because it will require all of these qualities – and more – to serve our people.
When serving as a public servant, too often people forget about the “servant” part of the job. When that happens, you have
lost sight of your propose and can no longer serve effectively.
REORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Currently, there are two subject-matter committees under the Board of Trustees: The Committee on Asset and Resource Management (ARM), and The Committee on Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment (BAE).
In an effort to involve more of the Trustees in leadership, OHA Chair Colette Machado appointed Trustee John Waihee IV late last year as Chair of the BAE Committee and with the departure of Trustee Mossman there will be further changes made to our committee structure.
SEND IN YOUR RESUMES
As we search for a new Trustee and CEO, I am hopeful that we will have many applicants who will submit their resumes to us so that we may choose wisely from a large pool of talent.
NATIVE HAWAIIAN ROLL COMMISSION
OHA is currently undertaking the enrollment of our Hawaiian People, which has been mandated by Act 195 (SB1520). We look
forward to this endeavor and embrace this challenge with the assistance of the five-member Native Hawaiian Roll Commission.
Members include: (1) Chairman of the Commission — Former Governor John Waihee III; (2) Naalehu Anthony of ‘Oiwi TV; (3) Attorney Lei Kihoi; (4) Former Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation Executive Director Mahealani Perez-Wendt; and (5) Robin Danner of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.
To this effort, let us all move together in one canoe and agree ahead of time to “agree to disagree” if need be, but always with Aloha for one another’s thoughts and opinions, and it will be possible for all of us to move forward.
Aloha Ke Akua and Imua Hawaii nei.