OHA seeks community input

KAILUA-KONA – OHA is seeking input from its beneficiaries and the genreal public for the development of the agency’s new strategic plan.

Comments will be accepted through an online survey as well as a series of statewide meetings beginning later this month. Two meetings are slated for Hawaii Island. The first will be held 5:30-7:30 p.m. May 22 at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and the second will be held June 3 at the West Hawaii Civic Center from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

In July 2018, OHA began the process to develop its Strategic Plan for 2020 and beyond. The OHA board has already completed Phase 1 and Phase 2 of this process. In Phase 1, the board re-affirmed its commitment to OHA’s vision and mission. In Phase 2, the board identified its strategic framework, recognizing the foundation of Native Hawaiian communities as aina (land and water), moomeheu (culture), and ohana (family). Trustees also identified the following strategic directions: educational pathways, economic stability, quality housing, and health outcomes.

Phase 3 of this process seeks community input on what the agency should focus on within the strategic framework and directions identified in Phase 2. OHA has setup a website (www.oha.org/priorities) to provide information about the process.

In addition, the public may provide input via an online survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/OHACommunityInput.

“Forty years ago, OHA was created with the premise that Native Hawaiians know best how Native Hawaiian resources should be used to serve Native Hawaiians,” said OHA Chair Colette Machado. “Our Strategic Plan is critical to determining where these resources are expended to improve the lives of our beneficiaries. We are asking our community to participate in this process to help shape OHA’s contribution to a thriving and robust lahui in the years to come.”

Those interested in attending the public community meetings are asked to RSVP with OHA’s facilitator, DTL Hawaii, at oha@dtlstudio.com. Info: www.oha.org/priorities.