Candidate Q&A: Office Of Hawaiian Affairs At-Large Trustee — Larry Kawaauhau
“Native Hawaiians are deprived of their ancestral lands after years of witnessing their Hawaii sold repeatedly to the benefit of others and not Hawaiians.”
Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Aug. 10 Primary Election, Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected.
The following came from Larry Kawaauhau, candidate for Office of Hawaiian Affairs at-large trustee. The other candidates include Keli’i Akina, Lei Ahu Isa, Peter Apo, Leona Kalima, Brendon Kalei’aina Lee and Patty Kahanamoku-Teruya.
Go to Civil Beat’s Election Guide for general information, and check out other candidates on the General Election Ballot.
Candidate for Office Of Hawaiian Affairs At-Large Trustee
Website
Community organizations/prior offices held
1. What do you see as the most pressing problem facing Native Hawaiians, and what will you do about it?
Native Hawaiians are houseless, not landless. It is appalling to see Native Hawaiians, elders, adults, teens and children unable to live in their Hawaii. This is our home, our aina.
Over the years OHA received lands in exchange for unexplainable revenues. OHA has grown into the real estate market, but never has it ventured into putting Native Hawaiians on the lands, that is where I will make demands to place our Native Hawaiians on lands.
2. Should OHA be subject to oversight by the Hawaii State Ethics Commission?
Yes, they handle trust funds.
3. Do you support the construction of the TMT atop Mauna Kea? Why or why not? Could the new management structure help to resolve long-standing disputes?
A very tender subject. I have heard voices to stop building on Mauna Kea, and others have asked if there are revenues generated from those buildings.
Mauna Kea is ceded lands. OHA and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands should present a plan to the State of Hawaii together with the trust beneficiaries.
4. What role should the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands play in reducing homelessness?
It needs to work with OHA to provide housing, first to our kupuna, they are the reasons we’re here today,
5. Why do you think Hawaiians are disproportionately represented in our prisons and jails? What can be done about it?
I could not put my finger on a particular reason; however, I can say, that before the illegal overthrow of the Kingdom in 1893, Native Hawaiians lost control of their lands at the granting of lands labeled “The Great Mahele.”
Today, Native Hawaiians are deprived of their ancestral lands after years of witnessing their Hawaii sold repeatedly to the benefit of others and not Hawaiians. A for aloha turns A into anger. DHHL and OHA, together, should participate in building a holding place for Native Hawaiians, here in Hawaii.
6. What are your views regarding Hawaiian self-determination?
Over the years many organizations were formed addressing self-determination. I walked the walk with Ka Lahui. Our Hawaii was illegally overthrown, by power of another country with the aid of those businessmen and residents of the Kingdom of Hawaii.
7. Is OHA getting its fair share of ceded-land revenues from the state?
No. OHA is entitled to 20% of the State of Hawaii revenues generated from the public land trust (ceded lands). The total of the revenues remains unknown and, according to my personal polling, the beneficiaries were not aware of the 20% entitlement. This has got to change.
8. Is OHA fulfilling its mandate to serve the Hawaiian people?
No. OHA was created for the betterment of Native Hawaiians. Since the inception of OHA houseless Native Hawaiians have been very noticeable in the public. Recently kupuna were evicted from apartments owned by DHHL, which must reevaluate its trust obligations to Native Hawaiians.
I spoke to several kupuna, evicted and returned to the streets and beaches. Thus far, neither DHHL nor OHA representatives offered help, which I personally find disgusting.
9. Is Hawaii managing its tourism industry properly? What should be handled differently?
Hawaii’s economy relies on tourism to bring in revenues. We build to accommodate those vacationers, and we give up more Native Hawaiian lands and our precious water resources. And we end up with more opala (rubbish) at the dump.
10. How would you make OHA more transparent and accessible to the public and the Hawaiian people?
I have asked Native Hawaiians these questions:
Have you received any services directly from OHA? The answer is always no.
Has any trustee visited you in your community? The answer is always no.
Do you know as a Native Hawaiian you are beneficiary of OHA? The answer is always no.
Do you know that for State of Hawaii revenues collected on public land trust, known as ceded lands, 20% is due to OHA for you? The answer is always no.
OHA trustees are elected to represent Native Hawaiians, the beneficiaries of OHA. Trustees should be visible and informative to its beneficiaries.
