I am deeply honored, through Ke Akua’s grace, to serve a second term as your OHA trustee for Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi. Mahalo nui loa to the voters, supporters, family, and friends whose love and belief in me make this service possible. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to continue working for our Hawaiian community.
Reflecting on my first term, the pandemic impacted our ability to carry out many of our board’s activities. Despite these challenges, I remain committed to fulfilling the important duties entrusted to me. As I embark on this second term, here are my priorities:
Our Molokaʻi office: A top priority is ensuring that our Molokaʻi office renovation are completed so it is a welcoming space where beneficiaries receive the support they need. I am committed to fostering a warm, friendly environment where our community members feel valued. This is more than a place of service; it’s a space where people feel heard and respected.
Home Repairs for Beneficiaries: Many of our homesteaders, including myself, face significant challenges with the condition of their homes. I’ve lived in a home with a leaking roof and mold damage, which affected my health. Unfortunately, many others live under similar conditions but lack the resources to make repairs. As your trustee, I will advocate for funding to assist with home repairs so our beneficiaries have safe, healthy living environments.
Mental Health Needs: Molokaʻi, like other communities, faces a severe lack of mental health services. Suicide rates among young Hawaiians, especially our men, are tragically high. I know this pain personally, having lost my own son to suicide. It is my heartfelt mission to improve mental health services for our people. I will work closely with OHA and other Hawaiian trusts to provide support and resources to address this critical issue.
The Public Lands Trust (PLT): The PLT is vital to the economic wellbeing of our Hawaiian community. Unfortunately, the state is severely underfunding the trust. Currently, the state is paying just 4% of what is owed to OHA, falling $700 million behind in its obligations. I will continue to push for fair and just payments to ensure that PLT ceded and submersible lands are used to support the needs of Native Hawaiians.
I am proud to be Native Hawaiian, born to Stanley Alapa and Kauana Kanahele. My father and his second wife made Molokaʻi home in 1973, and I am one of three daughters who spent many years in this beautiful place. As a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and UH Mānoa with a B.A. in psychology, my career has been diverse: entrepreneur, insurance agent, event planner, motivational speaker, and professional emcee. Above all, I am a mother of four, and this deeply shapes my work today.
After my father passed in 2001, my sisters and our mother inherited his Hoʻolehua homestead lot. When I returned to Molokaʻi in 2019, I found the lot in disrepair, but we’ve worked together to restore it, despite financial challenges. This experience of perseverance has fueled my dedication to serving our people.
As I continue in this role, I am committed to fulfilling my fiduciary responsibility to grow the trust, ensure its resources are used effectively, and advocate for the wellbeing of Hawaiian families. My foundation, Hoʻohana Molokaʻi support nonprofits for home repair projects. I remain focused on improving the quality of life for our beneficiaries.
Mahalo nui for your trust, your aloha, and your unwavering support. I look forward to working alongside all of you to create a brighter future for our Hawaiian people.
Aloha kekahi i kekahi, Trustee Luana Alapa
