Questions
1 What are the top three issues facing the Native Hawaiian community today?
2 OHA’s mission is to improve conditions for Native Hawaiians. What skills do you offer to help OHA fulfill its mission?
3 How can OHA better ensure that Maunakea and its cultural and environmental integrity are appropriately protected?
Nonpartisan Special
AGE: 55
Outreach Educator & Program Administrator
khs96703@gmail.com
www.kamealohasmith4oha.com
- I believe the top three issues are, affordable housing, unemployment/underemployment, & food security/sovereignty. All of these issues are interrelated. Not far behind is education, access to health care, and drug addiction.
- I offer my 25 years of experience as an Outreach Educator and Non-profit Administrator. I’ve devoted my energy as a professional to community organization, advocacy, and education. Currently I participate in the development of these pursuits through grant writing, developing educational and training programs, and working to improve relationships between Native Hawaiians and private businesses, government agencies, and the larger Hawaii Community. Being able to bring people together to collaborate in the spirit of lokahi is a valuable skill when fostering partnerships with others. If duly elected as the Trustee for the island of Kauai, I plan to bring this same sense of commitment, integrity, and no-nonsense solutions to OHA.
- What I appreciate about what is going on in the movement with regard to Maunakea, is that I see so many Hawaiians with solutions that reflect their deep commitment to preserving & perpetuating Hawaiian language, culture, history, self-determination, and self-identity. This same standard of commitment and care should be applied in all situations that involve wahi pana and wahi kapu. To better ensure that Maunakea’s integrity is appropriately protected starts with a transparent and inclusive process. If elected, I would propose to establish a Maunakea Subcommittee. A Subcommittee would be subject to public disclosure rules. Having access to meeting minutes and knowing when meetings take place beforehand, will provide the opportunities that beneficiaries are seeking to participate in this process.
