Candidate Q&A: Office Of Hawaiian Affairs Molokai Trustee — Lu Ann Lankford-Faborito
“Offer an annual convening of all Native Hawaiians to attend, share and bring manao to help each other.”
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 Lu Ann Lankford-Faborito, candidate for Office of Hawaiian Affairs Molokai trustee. The other candidates include Luana Alapa, Gayla Haliniak and R. Kunani Nihipali.
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 Molokai Trustee
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?
Housing. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ 2,220 wait-listers on Molokai and Lanai — 883 are residential applicants.
We need to actively lobby, attend and submit testimony in support at DHHL commission meetings to help influence a quicker approach. OHA currently offers assistance to wait-list kupuna and help more to apply. Statewide, neighbor island statistics are even higher.
Economic sustainability is another issue. We need to continue to offer and teach more grant workshop opportunities for Native Hawaiians actively seeking assistance to build or start up a self sustaining business allowing them more opportunities.
2. Should OHA be subject to oversight by the Hawaii State Ethics Commission?
Absolutely. The Plante Moran audit revealed many deficiencies allowed by previous administrations.
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?
No, prior management of the facilities proved the mismanagement of a sacred place to Native Hawaiians.
I have confidence in the Mauna Kea Stewardship Oversight Authority.
4. What role should the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands play in reducing homelessness?
Continue to offer to build micro Kauhale-type transitional dwelling areas, without losing sight of the wait-list priorities.
5. Why do you think Hawaiians are disproportionately represented in our prisons and jails? What can be done about it?
Not having their aina to work, live, play and love allows for many distractions outside of our cultural comfort zone. Put more Hawaiians on the aina.
6. What are your views regarding Hawaiian self-determination?
An organized effort in conjunction with the Department of the Interior promises to give Native Hawaiians more rights, benefits, power and pride for our Kanaka.
7. Is OHA getting its fair share of ceded-land revenues from the state?
No, the undervalued settlement of Kakaako Makai is a huge example of not receiving the entire amount from the state versus just a percentage. It’s grossly unfair to Native Hawaiians and the plight we continue to suffer for lack of immediate resources for our people.
8. Is OHA fulfilling its mandate to serve the Hawaiian people?
No, the current strategic plan highlights areas of focus. Without receiving the full of amount funds from state, they are limited in how much can be spent to serve the four categories of education, health, housing and economics.
9. Is Hawaii managing its tourism industry properly? What should be handled differently?
Yes, with the new resurgence of regenerative tourism and individuals on staff who understand and live the roles of the host culture, this effort makes a difference in how Hawaii is marketed.
10. How would you make OHA more transparent and accessible to the public and the Hawaiian people?
Offer an annual convening of all Native Hawaiians to attend, share and bring manao to help each other.
