In a recent meeting of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), trustees engaged in a heated discussion regarding the support for the teaching of Olelo Hawaii, the Hawaiian language, in schools. The board reaffirmed its commitment to promoting Olelo Hawaii among all students, particularly native Hawaiians, while emphasizing the need to implement such educational initiatives without imposing undue burdens on students struggling to graduate.

Trustee Akina expressed concerns about a proposed bill, urging the board to maintain its original decision to submit comments to the legislature rather than support the bill in its current form, which he argued could be harmful. He stressed the importance of clearly communicating OHA's position on Hawaiian language education, advocating for a balanced approach that supports language learning without compromising student success.

Trustee Ahuna countered Akina's stance, asserting that being a Kanaka (native Hawaiian) should never be viewed as a burden and that what benefits Hawaiians ultimately benefits all. Trustee Chask echoed this sentiment, urging the board to send a strong message of support for Hawaiian language education and dismissing Akina's objections as attempts to undermine the board's previous decisions.

The board ultimately voted in favor of sending comments to the legislature, with seven trustees supporting the motion and one opposing it. This decision reflects OHA's ongoing commitment to advocating for the Hawaiian language while ensuring that educational policies are considerate of all students' needs.

Following this discussion, the meeting moved on to address other agenda items, including a presentation on concerns regarding the Kauai Planning Commission's approval of a master drainage plan.