Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 23, Number 1, 1 January 2006 — Eeonomie Momentum Commission emphasizes Hawaiian 'host culture' [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Eeonomie Momentum Commission emphasizes Hawaiian 'host culture'

By Derek Ferrar Public lnformation Specialist When the Eeonomie Momentum Commission formed by Gov. Linda Lingle to suggest ways of sustaining Hawai'i's eeonomie growth released its final report

on Dec. 20, the first item on its 1 1 -īopie list of recommendations dealt with "the importance of perpetuating our host culture" - including support for Hawaiian programs and federal recognition. "The coimnission felt strongly that our report should emphasize the importance of perpetuating

our host culture as a emeial element of our quality of life," the document says. "The heahh of Hawai'i's economy and ultimately Hawai'i's collective identity are founded on a vibrant Native Hawaiian culture and value system. This in turn depends upon a host Native Hawaiian population that is well educated, healthy, productively employed, adequately housed, and actively involved in perpetuating and sharing a vibrant Native Hawaiian culture." Citing increasing legal ehallenges to programs that benefit Native Hawaiians, the coimnission endorsed efforts by the governor and state Legislature to support "the initiation, retention and expansion of these programs ... including support for the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act of 2005 [also known as S. 147, or the 'Akaka B ill' ] ." "The host culture category being at the front of the report is a very positive statement," said OHA Chairperson Haunani Apoliona, who was also a member

of the eeonomie coimnission. "It demonstrates the broad aloha and support of the connnunity at-large for the perpetuation of Hawaiian culture and the well-being of Native Hawaiian people." Lormed by the govemor last lune, the 30-member connnission included bipartisan leaders of the state Legislature, as well as representatives from small and large businesses; labor unions; nonprofit, enviromnental, cultural and educational organizations; government and the military. "Our members went about this in a true spirit of lōkahi and bipartisanship," said the commission's ehainnan, First Hawaiian Bank CEO Don Horner. "People checked their party labels at the door and debated candidly and passionately about the needs of our state and its people. In the end, all of our reconnnendations were endorsed by a majority of our members." In addition to Native Hawaiian issues, the conunission made reconunendations in the areas of housing, taxation, education, workforce development, tourism, energy, infrastructure, agriculture, heahh care and the environment. "Our reconunendations cover a broad range of issues, reflecting the connnission's unanimous sentiment that eeonomie growth should not eome at the expense of the quality of life of Hawai'i's residents," Horner said. The goal of the commission, he said, was to "set out a starting point, to suggest priorities for discussion through the poliīieal process to follow." Gov. Lingle said at the report's release that it would be difficult for legislators to ignore the conunission's recommendations because of "the caliber of the people who produced this report and the time and effort and energy that they put into it." S

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7 h health of Hawaiīs Bcanamy and ultimatoly Hawaiīs collective identity are founded on a vibrant Hative Hawaiian culture and value system. "

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NŪ HOU • NEWS

The commision recognized that hula and other Hawaiian practices are "a crucial element of our way of life." - Photo: PIO Archive