As the sun rises over the capitol’s iconic silhouette, the hum of anticipation fills the air – this is the season where ideas ignite, voices converge, and the vibrant mix of hope, determination, and steadfast resolve to manifest a thriving future for our lāhui teems.
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Strategy & Implementation team is poised to advocate for a transformative budget bill that reflects the agency’s unwavering commitment to uplifting the lāhui. This proposal, which seeks critical funds, underscores OHA’s proactive role as an equal partner with the State of Hawaiʻi in fulfilling its trust responsibility to Native Hawaiians.
Central to this effort are initiatives tied to OHA’s Mana i Mauli Ola Strategic Plan, which charts a course for improved outcomes in four key areas: educational pathways, ʻŌiwi health and wellbeing, quality housing, and economic resiliency. These kūkulu represent more than individual goals – they are the connective tissue of a comprehensive vision to create systemic, generational change.
A Blueprint for Progress
- Educational Pathways: OHA is focusing on curriculum support for Hawaiian-focused charter schools and Hawaiian Language Medium Immersion programs while seeking to establish a Native Hawaiian practitioner pathway within Career Technical Education programs. These initiatives aim to equip students with culturally grounded knowledge and skills that honor traditional practices while preparing them for modern career opportunities and community-readiness.
- ʻŌiwi Health and Wellbeing: Addressing root causes of social determinants of health is a priority. OHA plans to pilot a specialty court and restorative justice program that incorporates traditional healing practices. This innovative approach reflects a commitment to holistic health and wellbeing, focusing on solutions that align with Native Hawaiian values and promote long-term community resilience.
- Quality Housing: This budget bill proposes funding to expand affordable, non-traditional housing options, such as multi-generational homes and accessory dwelling units, ensuring Native Hawaiians can remain in the communities of their choice.
- Economic Resiliency: Recognizing the critical role of economic stability, OHA seeks funding for a rural agriculture accelerator program for Native Hawaiian mahiʻai (farmers). This program aims to bolster kānaka-owned businesses and advance innovative economic systems deeply rooted in Hawaiian knowledge and values, strengthening the lāhui’s self-sufficiency and sustainability.
Grounded in Responsibility and Sovereignty
These strategic initiatives are guided by a fundamental understanding of the state’s obligation and OHA’s unique position within the public trust framework. The State of Hawaiʻi Constitution, Article XII, Section 4, and Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes Chapter 10 and 10-H collectively establish critical and complementary roles that the state and OHA stand in as stewards of Native Hawaiian wellbeing.
This shared kuleana between OHA and the state is a profound expression of the principle, “Ua mau ke ea o ka ʻāina i ka pono.” OHA’s budget proposal reflects not just funding requests but a call to action, urging the state to uphold its constitutional and moral obligations to the lāhui.
Moving Forward with Unity and Purpose
OHA’s Strategy & Implementation team is engaging with community leaders, legislators, and partners to ensure the proposed initiatives resonate with the needs of Native Hawaiians. Collaboration and transparency remain at the heart of this work. The journey toward a thriving lāhui is a shared one. Through collective advocacy and strategic investment, OHA reaffirms its commitment to the Native Hawaiian people, paving the way for a resilient, vibrant future.