Hale Pai
Pacific American-News Journal
Iulai-July 1996 Volume 2 Issue 7
State Partners with Ali`i Trust, Office of
Hawaiian Affairs and Alu Like, Inc. to build its first
Multi-Service Center for Native Hawaiians on Moloka`i
In a traditional ceremony to bless the `aina at Kalama`ula on
Moloka`i, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands unveiled today
plans to partner with the Ali`i Trusts and several Hawaiian
organizations--the Queen Emma Foundation, Kamehameha Schools
Bishop Estate, Lili`uokalani Trust, Alu Like, Inc., and the
Office of Hawaiian Affairs--to build the first multi-service
center in the state designed to house offices and programs run by
these Hawaiian organizations for the betterment of native
Hawaiians.
"The Hawaiian multi-service center will be more than just
a building complex," said Governor Benjamin Cayetano.
"It will symbolize the state's commitment to work in unison
with the Ali`i Trusts, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Alu
Like, Inc. to serve the needs of Hawaiians. The concept of a
one-stop service center for our Hawaiian people is a common sense
approach being used by my administration to facilitate the
coordinated delivery of government and private services more
efficiently. The state will continue to foster partnerships like
this for the benefit of all the people of Hawaii."
"The creation of the multi-service center marks an
important milestone for Hawaiian organizations," said Kali
Watson, Director of Hawaiian Home Lands and Chair of the Hawaiian
Homes Commission. "Public and private agencies, dedicated to
the betterment of Hawaiians, will join efforts to meet essential
needs of thousands living in the Molokai community. Hawaiians and
the state as a whole will be stronger because of this historic
partnership.
"The center will offer a variety of medical and long
range-term care services for the elderly, social and educational
services for youth, indigent children and orphans, and vocational
training services geared to strengthen Hawaiian families, values
and culture. In addition to managing toe state lease to the
various organizations, DHHL plans to locate an office in the
center to facilitate delivery of its homestead services to the
Hawaiian community," Watson said.
"The Queen Emma Foundation is excited to be a part of
this collaborative effort which we hope will develop and expand
on the services and programs that will benefit the Hawaiian
community of Moloka`i," said Robert Oshiro, chairman and
chief executive officer. "We envision the facility at
Kalama`ula being the prototype for others to follow throughout
the state.
"The Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate is honored and
privileged to be able to participate in this endeavor and stand
side-by-side with the other Ali`i Trusts," said Kamehameha
Schools Bishop Estate Board of Trustees Chairman Richard Wong.
"This is the first time in contemporary times that we have
pooled our resources in this fashion and by coming together, all
of the agencies can better serve the Hawaiian people. KSBE is
especially happy that the site for the state's first
multi-service center of this type will be built Moloka`i where
plans for a preschool are underway."
"E ho a kakou i ka lama kupono no na hulu Hawai`i. E
kukulu a`e kakou no ke ea o ka`aina me ke aloha a me ke ahonui. E
alu like mai ka kou, e na `oiwi o Hawai`i -- Let us all set aglow
the light of goodness for our Hawaiian people. Let us all build
together for our self-determination with aloha and
patience," says Alu Like, Inc. President and Chief Executive
Officer Director, Haunani Apoliona.
This is an excellent example of inter-agency
cooperation," said Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee, Sam
Kealoha. "We look forward to other collaborative
opportunities with the state and other members of the Ali`i
Trusts.
"Hawaiians doing things together gives witness to the
genuine understanding of ohana," said Monsignor Charles
Kekumano, trustee for the Lili`uokalani Trust. "When they
act as a family, they are able to support and encourage each
other, not because of any urgency or problem, But because it is a
key concept of their culture."
"This multi-service center is a welcome and needed
beginning," said Walter Ritte, spokesman for Na Mea Hawai`i,
a consortium of Moloka`i community representatives. "Working
independently, both our island people and the Hawaiian agencies
came to the realization that a multi-service center combining
Hawaiian resources is much needed here. We are excited and
encouraged by this united effort and see it as the foundation for
growth, both for the agencies involved and for the Hawaiian
people."
Plans for the center include a preschool and offices for
members of the Ali`i Trusts, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Alu
Like Inc., and DHHL. The project's architects are Kauahikaua and
Chun, Architects. The project developer is Kamehameha Investment
Corporation. Groundbreaking for the center is expected in early
1997.
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Copyright © 1996 Hale Pai Pacific American-News Journal
Last modified: February 28, 1998
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