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leo ‘elele
mei2018
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Why the State Audit is Good Medicine for OHA
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doctor’s diagnosis can be uncom- quoted by the auditor, “Most of us were fortable or frightening. The worst leading with our hearts rather than with our thing to do, however, heads.” The problem is that Trustis to ignore or deny the ees are supposed to lead with our diagnosis. The same hearts AND our heads. is true for organizations being audited, as OHA was recently Myth 2: The state Auditor is by the state Auditor. not qualified and besides, the By now, we are all familiar state has no business looking into with that audit, published in OHA’s finances. February. (http://files.hawaii. Keli‘i gov/auditor/Reports/2018/18-03. The truth is, the Auditor is pdf) The examination of OHA precisely the one to make such Akina, Ph.D. was thorough and the findings judgment calls and is the most were scathing. experienced body, appointed by Trustee, For those of us who see a docthe Legislature, to examine the At-large tor’s diagnosis as a good thing, finances of our state agencies. the audit findings were welcome. The second part of this myth is Unfortunately, some disagree, the idea that, as a semi-autonomous insisting that the Auditor’s findings are entity, OHA was never meant to be subject skewed, biased or lacking of credibility. to the same set of checks and balances that This narrative has been characterized by govern other state agencies. While it’s true three myths. that OHA is entrusted with discretion over WHAT it spends on, OHA must be accountMyth 1: It doesn’t matter how the able for HOW it spends. money was spent, as long as it was spent on Hawaiians. Myth 3: Since the Auditor didn’t recommend a change in leadership, a change This myth says that OHA can handle in leadership is not needed. money inappropriately as long as it is spent on Hawaiians! The truth is that while A statement from the Office of Hawaiian OHA is required to spend its funds to help Affairs in February stated that the Auditor Hawaiians, OHA did not always do so did not recommend removal of OHA’s CEO. in a way that was responsible or fair. For Yes, that is correct, but it wasn’t the role of example, the auditor reports that nine out the audit to tell Trustees what specific leadof 10 applications for Kulia grants lacked ership decisions to make. It is ultimately up required information, demonstrating that to the Trustees. funding was often awarded without proper due diligence. In conclusion, it is easy to see why the This myth also does not address the ques- state audit findings elicited the same reaction of which Hawaiians get the money. As tion as a frightening diagnosis. But all of the auditor pointed out, there were times us who love the patient – in this case OHA staff funding recommendations were dis- – need to stand up and say that denying the regarded by the CEO. According to the truth is the wrong medicine. The right mediauditor, awards were often granted to those cine is to accept the diagnosis, prescribe the who ‘know who to ask.’ proper remedy, and move forward. Imua! ¢ In the words of one veteran Trustee, as
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Eö e Hawai‘i!
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ö e nä kini, nä mamo, a me po‘e For several years now, OHA has been a aloha ‘äina, mai ka moku o Keawe proud sponsor of the award for best ‘Ölelo a i ka mole mai ‘o Lehua, Hawai‘i performance. This year’s aloha! winner was Miss Aloha Hula Last month the entire contestant Ecstasy Jetta Laverne state and viewers worldwide were Kamakalikolehua Ligon, from able to witness another year of the hälau ‘o Ka Lä ‘Önohi Mai O Merrie Monarch Festival. I want Ha‘eha‘e, who placed as first to send out to all the kumu, po‘e runner up. E ho‘omaika‘i ia‘oe hula, käko‘o, and ‘ohana my conkekahi! Your oli was not only gratulations for all the hana nui, beautiful but haunting, and I dedication, and aloha you put forth Carmen “Hulu” know you have made your kumu, at the festival. It is truly a treasure küpuna, and ‘ohana very proud. E Lindsey to be able to witness the 55th anniola mai i ka ‘ölelo Hawai‘i. versary of the Merrie Monarch, the I will be the first to say that Trustee, Maui growth of hula, and the perpetuaMaui people are very proud. With tion of our ancient traditions. There that said, I’d like to congratulate is nothing quite like it, ‘a‘ohe lua Kumu Hula ‘o Haunani and ‘Iliahi e like ai. Paredes of Hälau Kekuaokalä‘au‘ala‘iliahi, I would like to send my aloha to all the who placed 2nd in Hula ‘Auana, Hula hälau representing Maui, and especially to Kahiko and overall for the käne competition, my daughter, Näpua, and the women of and Kumu Hula Kamaka Kukona of Hälau Hälau Nä Lei Kaumaka o Uka. I could not O Ka Hanu Lehua, who placed 4th for Hula be more proud to have been there and seen ‘Auana for the Wahine competition. your efforts and hard work be rewarded. Over Merrie Monarch is an incredible opporthe past 22 years, Näpua has been teaching tunity for our people to gather and celebrate hula, for which some of her haumäna have culture, language and hula. I am thrilled to been with her from the beginning. It has hear all the people speaking our mother been a journey of growth, and continually tongue and perpetuating our traditions. I say pushing the envelope while staying true to to you, e ho‘omau! Continue your efforts her traditions. I’d also like to send a word of to reconnect with our past and move our ho‘omaika‘i to this year’s Miss Aloha Hula, people forward. Shalia Kapuau‘ionälani Kikuyo KamaAs OHA moves forward, may we take kaokalani, who represented Hälau Nä Lei note of the example you, the lähui, have set Kaumaka o Uka. You were transcendent forth for us. Let your aloha be our guidance with your performance, and your chanting as we make our decisions that impact your during your hula noho on kahiko night was lives. Mahalo for all of your continued supmost notable. You could tell your ancestors port as we work to improve your agency. were with you. E ho‘omaika‘i, we were all ‘O au iho no me ke aloha, so proud of you! Trustee Hulu Lindsey ¢
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