(BIVN) – The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees is meeting in East Hawaiʻi this week, and holding two public meetings at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.
The first meeting – more of an informal community gathering – was held Wednesday evening at UH-Hilo’s Ka Haka ‘Ula O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language.
The OHA trustees were given presentations by Nā Wai Ola Public Charter School, which is located in Mountain View but about to relocate to Hilo.
Other presentations were given by Bo Kahui on the Laʻi ʻŌpua Preschool, while Dr. Kalaniakea Wilson provided information on legislative proposals concerning the Hawaiian Homes waitlist and self-determination referendums.
A geothermal development update that was to be provided by Ryan Matsumoto, President of Waikā Consulting, did not occur.
Earlier on Wednesday, OHA conducted a site visit at Ke Kula ʻO Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu Iki, the Hawaiian language immersion charter school in Keaʻau.
On Thursday, the OHA Board of Trustees will reconvene for a more formal meeting at the college. On the agenda are updates from Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda, as well as UH-Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin and other university officials, including Director of Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani, Kaʻiu Kimura.
During the Thursday meeting, OHA plans to sign an official agreement with UH-Hilo’s Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language, reaffirming and strengthening OHA’s “statutory obligation to support the College, consistent with Act 315 (1997) and Act 226 (2001)”, meeting materials say. The agreement will formalize OHA’s recommitment to sustaining the College’s mission of Hawaiian language and cultural renewal.
The events are being livestreamed over YouTube.
