Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 6, 1 June 1989 — "Rising Tide" Of Benefits For Hawaiians [ARTICLE]

"Rising Tide" Of Benefits For Hawaiians

OHA Budget For 1989-91 Set At $3.8 Million

By Ed Miehelman Public Information Officer The 1989 State Legislature has appropriated $3.8 million to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs over the next two years to create what one senator calls a "rising tide" of benefits for the Hawaiian people. Generally, OHA itself will match these appropriations to provide funds for programs, services and operations. One of the needs identified by OHA in its budget request to the Legislature is to "improve its image with the Hawaiian community and its working relationship with other public and private agencies." Special attention is focused on: • health problems facing Hawaiians, • the development of a master plan to coordinate the provision of services to Native Hawaiians by public and private organizations, • the reparations issue, and • resolving the ceded land question. OHA also requested funds to conduct a thorough assessment of the blood quantum question. Increased funding was also sought to continue to protect land rights of Native Hawaiians. Some of the major budget highlights are spelled out in the report of the conference committee

whieh considered the bill. These include: • $50,000 in general funds (matched by OHA) to establish a Governor's task force to develop a eoordinated master plan by public and private entities to provide services to native Hawaiians and Hawaiian populations, and to efficiently budget funds for this purpose. • $158,500 to address the question of the blood quantum for Hawaiians, through a media and informational campaign, and community meetings. The results are to be reported to the legislature just before it convenes, in 1990, for action, including possible state constitutional amendments. •$393,670 (matched by OHA) to provide additional necessary funds to improve and increase services to Native Hawaiians in quiet title actions, through representation by the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation. • $103,000 (matched by OHA) for the creation of "Papa Ola Lokahi," an organization whieh will administer some $19 million in federal funds from the Native Hawaiian Health Care Act. This Native Hawaiian health board is made up of representatives of OHA, the State Department of Health, University of Hawai'i, E Ola Mau and Alu Like. Papa Ola Lokahi will develop a comprehensive health care master plan to efficiently use funds for

the health care for all Hawaiians. • $82,000 (matched by OHA) as matching funds for federal grants. • $50,000 (matched by OHA) to establish a historic preservation task force. This task force will make recommendations and assist in developing legislation to strengthen known weaknesses in federal and state laws and county ordinances on historic preservation. OHA is to consult with the Hawai'i Historic Places Review Board on the development of this project. • $219,700 (matched by OHA) to provide matching funds to eonhnue the Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund (NHRLF) demonstration project. NHRLF is a four-year, $3 million project providing technical, management and financial assistance to Native Hawaiian businesses. Major funding is provided by the U.S. Administration for Native Americans (ANA). • $58,100 (matched by OHA) for an entrepreneurship training program to provide Hawaiian business people essential information and technieal assistance to enable them to start a business of their own. • $68,200 (matched by OHA) to continue the Self-Help Housing Project started in 1987. The see OHA Budget, page 2

OHA Board Busfness

By Ed Miehelman Public Information Officer

The April OHA Board of Trustees meeting was held April 29 at OHA's Honolulu office, 1600 Kapi'olani Boulevard. The first portion of the meeting was convened in executive session to confer with OHA's attorney and consider personnel matters. Present at the executive session were Chairman Kaulukukui and Trustees Akaka, DeSoto, Hao, Kahaiali'i and Keale. Trustees Burgess and Ching were present for the open portion of the meeting whieh followed. Trustee Mahoe was excused. Executive Session A motion to ratify the actions taken in executive session was unanimously adopted. Committee Reports Operations and Development The Board unanimously approved on the second of two required readings a motion amending the OHA by-laws to reduce membership on this committee from nine to seven trustees. The Board unanimously approved on the second of two required readings a motion amending the OHA by-laws to create a fourth standing committee to be known as the Committee on Native Hawaiian Status and Entitlements. Its purpose is to "provide oversight and conduct advocacy efforts in matters specifically relating to federal land claims, trust entitlements and Native Hawaiian sovereignty." Committee on Programs A recommendation from the committee was adopted unanimously providing for the presence of OHA's archaeologist during all site visits to Kukuiokane Heiau and for adequate notification to all trustees of such visits. New Business The trustees unanimously adopted a resolution congratulating Eleanor Lilihana 'A'i Williamson upon her retirement from Bishop Museum after over 35 years of service. Administrator's Report Board of Trustees Operating Procedures The Board voted seven to two to retain Arthur Young & Co. to review the organization of the Board of the T rustees and draft a recommended organization structure (including standing eommittees) and functional statements. Total cost of the project will be $20,331. Trustees Akaka and Ching voted "nay."

"Operation 'Ohana" The Administrator's recommendation to appropriate $81,979 for the first phase of "Operation 'Ohana" was approved unanimously. The program will identify and register native Hawaiians and Hawaiians. Community Concerns Following a presentation by University of Hawai'i law professor Williamson Chang and attorney Elizabeth Pa Martin of the Native Hawaiian Advisory Council, the Board voted unanimously to support that organization by disseminating information concerning water rights registration requirements The next board meeting was scheduling for 10 a.m. Saturday, May 20 at the Lihu'e Shopping Center, Conference Room 217.