Unity, empowerment and self-governance were again themes of this year’s State of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs address, with special attention paid to the importance of preparing a new generation of Native Hawaiian leaders.

"I’ve always tried to put into practice the values that I was taught by my kupuna, particularly the spirit of aloha," keynote speaker retired U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka said Tuesday to about 350 people gathered at Central Union Church. "I strongly believe that this has enabled me to achieve all that I have throughout my life, (and) I would like our current and future generations … to recognize the power of aloha and the effectiveness of leadership that is rooted in our Hawaiian values."

The event began with the blowing of conch shells, processions of the Alii Trusts, Royal Benevolent Societies and OHAtrustees and administration. Musician John Rasmussen’s voice rang through the church as he sang his moving song "Be Recognized" before Akaka spoke.

Akaka reminded the crowd of the perseverance and dedication it took for him to persuade Congress to pass a resolution 20 years ago formally apologizing for the overthrow of the Hawaiian government, and he expressed hope that the following years he spent fighting for a bill for Native Hawaiian governance will eventually result in victory.

"I’ve worked on it for 12 years, and it’s still not done," the former senator told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser after the event. "But we still have to strive and find a way to bring back what I call governance so the people of Hawaii at least can come together not only in housing and organizations, but in governance for the people."

Board Chairwoman Colette Machado, who suffered a stroke Nov. 1, opened the event by discussing her health concerns and noting how her experience can serve as an example for those working to move OHA forward.

"If we’re talking about building our nation and moving forward, we all have to be able to see the good work and the fruits of that outcome," she said. "I’m so grateful that I’m actually here now to address this group. You folks need to know that the Hawaiians are moving on up. … We’re moving towards establishing a recognized governance for Native Hawaiians."

OHA Chief Executive Officer Kamana’opono Crabbe, touching on the event’s theme of "Kukulu Hou i ka Hale o Mauli ola" — Rebuild the House of Mauli ola — spoke of ushering in an era of collaboration among OHA and its supporters.

"Kukulu hou is that strategy that directs us to rebuild, to re-establish and to reaffirm for the next five generations the work that we do to rebuild a healthy nation," he said. "It is the vision that guides us with a renewed drive to complete our mission."

As part of his State of OHA speech, Crabbe noted several of the office’s accomplishments throughout the year, which included:

» Helping 771 Native Hawaiians borrow $14.7 million through OHA loan programs to expand businesses, improve homes, consolidate debt and continue their education.

» Handling 150 grant applications totaling $36 million, compared with last year’s 72 proposals, which totaled $8.8 million.

» Awarding $8 million to 32 community organizations.

Crabbe said more than 6,200 Native Hawaiians are expected to benefit from grants awarded by OHA this year through programs to combat obesity, improve middle- and high-school test scores, increase economic well-being and preserve and perpetuate as well as protect Hawaiian culture.

"I thought it was well done; it had a feeling of Hawaii, without question," Akaka said after the event.

"I feel now after serving those many years in Congress that Hawaii really has a mission for the United States and the rest of the world through its people, and that has to be continued and developed in our young people."

Along with Akaka, dignitaries attending included Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui; former Govs. George Ariyoshi and John Waihee; Mayor Kirk Caldwell and Kauai Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr.; state Department of Land and Natural Resources Director William Aila and Deputy Director Esther Kia’aina; state Sen. Laura Thielen; and state Reps. Calvin Say, Cynthia Thielen and Gene Ward.