Native Hawaiians must put differences aside and unite if they want to prevail against potentially devastating legal challenges to the programs that benefit them and their community, the chairwoman of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs said yesterday.

In her 25-minute state of OHA and the Hawaiian community address at Kawaiaha'o Church, Haunani Apoliona said the solution to "well-financed and politically connected special interest" groups is to unite and build a Native Hawaiian nation. It is the best legal and political option available, she said.

"We need to rebuild and reorganize our nation now," Apoliona said in her speech, which marked the 25th anniversary of OHA. "We cannot sit idly by and wait for others to do it for us. We must not let a few disgruntled voices misrepresent our history. Nor can we let loud voices of intimidation attempt to control the process."

She said legal challenges are trying to dismantle OHA, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the missions of the Ali'i trusts — the trusts bequeathed by ruling Hawaiians or nobility that finance many current programs.

"These parties intend to continue filing lawsuits until they succeed in dismantling all Native Hawaiian rights and programs," she said.

She cited two adverse decisions this year from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals: one that ruled against Hawaiians-only admission to Kamehameha Schools and one that said taxpayers can challenge direct taxpayer funding of OHA.

"We must challenge these decisions, in court and in Congress, because they seek to undermine all that we are and eliminate all the gains we have made in the past 112 years," Apoliona said.

The crowd of nearly 300 enthusiastically applauded when Apoliona vowed to keep up the fight.

"This is a battle that Native Hawaiians and all who support justice and fairness intend to finish and win," she said.

But Hawaiians must come together or risk failure, she said.

That's why OHA has chosen to support the Native Hawaiian Coalition, the registration of all Native Hawaiians and passage of the Akaka bill, she said.

"We know there is disagreement within the Hawaiian community about (the Akaka bill) and federal recognition," she said. "To that end, we encourage all Native Hawaiians to get involved and find out the facts. Be informed. Don't rely on secondhand or thirdhand information. Read the bill yourself."

Apoliona said that improving the lives of Native Hawaiians has proven to be a daunting task. But the past 12 months have been good to OHA and Native Hawaiians in many ways, she said.

OHA's investment portfolio increased by about $55 million to $369.9 million as of Sept. 30, 2005.

The agency also awarded 22 education grants and 91 scholarships totalling $7.2 million, including more than $5 million for programs in public schools.

OHA also awarded $1.5 million to Habitat for Humanity to help 75 Native Hawaiian families with "no interest" 20-year mortgages.

And OHA distributed $1.5 million for economic development, including loans to 17 Native Hawaiian businesses, 62 personal loans and a dozen grants to community-based organizations.

Apoliona's address drew praise from members of the audience, who filled the church pews with brightly colored mu'umu'u and lei and delivered a heartfelt rendition of "Hawai'i Aloha," hands held in unity.

"I thought it was inspirational," said Jennie Kaleikini of Waimanalo. "It was something that needed to be said. I hope they recruit many, many people to get on the bandwagon."

Doreen Saito of Papakolea agreed. She was there for the generations to come, as were all the kupuna just like her who had made the trip to Kawaiaha'o Church.

"It's not just for me," she said. "I'm looking at this for my grandchildren and great grandchildren."

Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com.