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Editor’s note: For Hawaii’s Nov. 5 General 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 ³¢³Ü²¹²Ô²¹Ìý´¡±ô²¹±è²¹, candidate for Office of Hawaiian Affairs Molokai-Lanai trustee. Her opponent is R. Kunani Nihipali.

Go to Civil Beat’s Election Guide for general information, and check out other candidates on the General Election Ballot.

1. What do you see as the most pressing problem facing Native Hawaiians, and what will you do about it?

The lack of affordable housing is a critical issue for many Hawaiians. Many beneficiaries of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs are on the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands waiting list. Support from state agencies would be instrumental in executing a memorandum of understanding aimed at advancing affordable housing for Hawaiian beneficiaries, as the long waitlist must be addressed.

As an OHA trustee, we have been in dialogue with DHHL to explore housing development projects, such as kupuna housing. Though we are still in the early stages of planning, we are considering various types of structures like tiny homes, prefab/pre-cut homes or modular homes, which are definitely more affordable for our lahui (people).

Expediting home ownership for Hawaiian beneficiaries is crucial, as the exodus of Hawaiians to the mainland continues to increase each year.

2. Should OHA be subject to oversight by the Hawaii State Ethics Commission?

Yes. Trustees are statewide elected officials and are subject to state ethics laws.

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?

Our primary focus should be on ensuring that pono management of the mauna is the highest priority. The state must fulfill its obligations to preserve and protect the environment and cultural heritage of the mauna. Although a new management structure is in place, it does not mean all issues are resolved. OHA’s lawsuit with the state must be addressed before we can move forward on these matters.

As we advance in science and technology in the 21st century, we must continue exploring the heavens, honoring our ancestors who were master navigators using the stars and ocean tides to find their way to land. Renewable energy resources on all ceded lands currently receive a tiny fraction of their value. The state must ensure that royalties from renewable energy are considered, rather than allowing the private sector, such as HECO, to reap the majority of the profits.

4. What role should the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands play in reducing homelessness?

The role that the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands should play in reducing homelessness for Hawaiians is to continue with the ongoing development and building of affordable housing. DHHL faces several challenges, including the high cost of infrastructure for raw lands, constructing vertical buildings for rent-to-own units and implementing modular homes. Additional strategies involve accelerating leases for waitlisters and subdividing unused large lease farm lots into smaller 1- to 2-acre lots, allowing more families to move from the waitlist to these lots more quickly.

Despite the recent allocation of $600 million by the state, DHHL still encounters significant financial constraints. This funding is insufficient to sustain the department or develop thousands of homes in the coming years, given the dramatic increases in prices for materials, labor and infrastructure.

OHA has been in discussions with DHHL regarding potential support for a kupuna housing project. Furthermore, OHA has committed grant money to a pilot program with American Savings Bank, aimed at assisting Hawaiian families as first-time home buyers with down payments for their new homes.

To address the challenges, DHHL and OHA need to continue collaborating, leveraging both state and private resources, and exploring innovative housing solutions to meet the needs of the Hawaiian community.

5. Why do you think Hawaiians are disproportionately represented in our prisons and jails? What can be done about it?

The disproportionate representation of Hawaiians in various negative statistics often begins at home. Contributing factors include lack of education, insufficient familial support, low income, and the adoption of Western ideologies, leading to a loss of culture, self-identity and language. These issues often manifest in physical, mental and emotional abuse.

There is a dire need for targeted support within the prison system to address the personal needs of incarcerated Hawaiians. OHA should advocate more vigorously for governmental support to address the disparate treatment of our people. Through its advocacy division, OHA can support and implement Hawaiian cultural programs that nurture the heart, mind, body and soul.

Programs based on hooponopono can aid in healing, while job training and financial literacy workshops are essential in preparing individuals for release and helping them reconnect with their cultural roots.

6. What are your views regarding Hawaiian self-determination?

Historic facts clearly show that a wrong was done to the Hawaiian people, and their right to self-governance is currently being ignored. A political solution to this issue can only be achieved through the provision of self-determination by and for the Hawaiian people. Educating our current and future generations about their inherent rights to nation-building is a crucial step toward restoring Hawaiian self-governance.

7. Is OHA getting its fair share of ceded-land revenues from the state?

No. Currently, the state Legislature’s payments to the Public Land Trust amount to $21 million, which is just 4% of the 20% owed to OHA. Based on the latest calculations, OHA should be receiving $79.8 million annually. As a result, the state is in arrears by $700 million. One can only imagine the number of Hawaiian programs — such as housing, health care, education and job opportunities — that could be realized if the state fulfilled its legal obligation to pay OHA its fair share of the PLT.

Unfortunately, the state has yet to reach an agreement on the exact inventory of PLT lands. With the paltry sum OHA currently receives, it is challenging to improve the lives and conditions of Hawaiians. OHA has a working group in dialogue with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, urging them to fulfill their obligation by identifying the land inventory so OHA can receive its rightful share of the PLT.

8. Is OHA fulfilling its mandate to serve the Hawaiian people?

I’m very proud of the work OHA is doing, especially within our Hawaiian communities. By awarding over $17 million in grants and expanding grant writing workshops, OHA is helping Hawaiians access funds for their specific needs, ultimately improving the lives of our people.

OHA is dedicated to uplifting our communities by addressing disparities in health, education, housing and the economy. However, for OHA to further its mission of serving our lahui, it is essential that ceded land revenues be paid in full rather than just a small portion.

9. Is Hawaii managing its tourism industry properly? What should be handled differently?

Hawaii is actively striving to improve its tourism industry by making it more environmentally friendly and culturally sensitive. The state has introduced the Malama program, which targets mindful tourists through videos that encourage visitors to give back or volunteer with local nonprofits.

This shift toward “regenerative tourism,” led by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, promotes collaboration between government agencies, private organizations and community groups. The focus is on visitor education, community-led management of popular tourist destinations and investment in programs that preserve and perpetuate Hawaiian culture. After all, there is no Hawaii without Hawaiians.

10. How would you make OHA more transparent and accessible to the public and the Hawaiian people?

OHA is committed to transparency and accountability. We have made several resources available to the public, including OHA board meetings, minutes, detailed expenses, grants and advocacy efforts for Hawaiian cultural issues. Our in-house media projects further increase our visibility and engagement with the community.

Our Board of Trustees has taken unprecedented steps to engage directly with communities, including traveling to meet with residents who have never before had the opportunity to interact with the entire board. For example, the board has met with community members in Kahana Valley, the ahupuaa of Heeia — ohana of Frank Hewitt, and visited the Bumpy Kanahele Compound in Waimanalo. These visits are firsts in OHA’s history.

We will continue to venture into local communities to hear firsthand the concerns and issues of our beneficiaries.

Additional information about OHA can be accessed through our website, OHA.org.