OHA in the Digital Age

by Lei Ahu Isa, OHA Trustee-at-large, Ka Wai Ola, January, 2015

It is such an exciting time for OHA as we enter the 21st Century and the Digital Age.

The world has its challenges with the advent of technology.  Security and privacy issues are just the tip of the iceberg. 

OHA communications manager Garett Kamemoto remarked, and I agreed with him as the king was always ahead of his time: “If King Kaläkaua were here when Apple iPhones went on sale, he’d be the first in line!”

And this is just one reason why Act 195 should be repealed. Technology software can identify not only ancestral history but be kept track through iCloud. Way cheaper than spending millions of dollars ($27M Akaka Bill) and the Native Hawaiian Roll, Kana‘iolowalu ($4M+).

IMHO, it would have been more fruitful, productive if OHA gave all the Kau Inoa enrollees and in fact, ALL the Hawaiian people iPads filled with apps on educational information about OHA and Native Hawaiian history, issues, etc. Interaction could take place with OHA through digital means and to express their mana‘o.

OHA must be more inclusive, more transparent so that our people can TRUST the Trustees once again. Aunty Gladys Brandt was my mentor, as well as Senator T.C. Yim, and I have always admired her grace and dignity she carried as an OHA Trustee. David Shapiro said it best, “Any accepted path forward must rise from the Hawaiian community, and the state and federal governments have no business trying to organize or control it” (“Take cue from Hawaiians and end enrollment effort,” Star-Advertiser, Volcanic Ash, May 18).

Our former Governor and the Legislature should not have created a law that mandated an issue that was OHA’s kuleana. E kala mai if I am being disrespectful, but just wanted to share.

Hau‘oli Makahiki Hou and May Akua Bless Everyone!