Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 12, Number 1, 1 January 1995 — OHA Board Business [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA Board Business

Na Kuleana a ka Papa Kahu Waiwai

By EUen Blomquist Public Information Officer

A regular business meeting of OHA's Board of Trustees was held Nov. 23. Chairman Clayton Hee convened the meeting at 10:15 a.m. Trustees Abraham Aiona, Rowena Akana, and Moses K. Keale. Sr. were excused. Trustee A. Frenchy DeSoto was excused at 10:45 a.m. After approval of the agenda and minutes from Oct. 14 and Nov. 4. Lela Hubbard addressed the board on beha!f of Nā Koa Ikaika. She brought up as concerns trustees who were unable to attend meetings regularly because of health concerns. Trustee Klna'u Kamali'i assured Hubbard that trustees in question were attending meetings recently. Trustee A. Frenchy DeSoto spoke of trustees' dedication to matters of the office. Hubbard asserted that OHA should look into waiver of lease rent or acquiring its own building, to save money. She also requested that Ka Wai Ola cover attendance at committee meetings and a monthly list of contracts let and their amount. Kukui Mālamalama Awards. The board approved the selection of Leilani "Violet" Browne Hughes. Edith Kawelohea McKinzie, Myron "Pinky" Thompson. and John Anson Hau'oli Tomoso as this year"s Ke Kukui Mālamalama awards for excellence in education.

Budget, Einanee and PoIicv. The board approved, 6-0, $5,000 in trust funds to cover living costs for a native Hawaiian youth requiring an extended medical stay as part of an experimental medical procedure. Native Hawaiian Historic Preservation Council (NHHPC). The board approved, 6-0, $52,020.50 in trust funds to augment the operating budget of NHHPC for the 1994-95 fiscal year. Funds will cover the cost of workshops, meetings, and administrative services. Joint Venture with Hawai'i F(«)d Bank. The board approved, 5 - 0, the establishment of a $75,000 line of credit at the Hawai'i Food Bank to serve native Hawaiian and Hawaiian families in need. The committee report noted that eaeh dollar in trust funds wou!d leverage $12.50 in food for organizations serving native Hawaiians and Hawaiians. The approval was given with the proviso that the eommittee review quarterly reports on the people served to ensure that the services were provided to Hawaiians. Contracts with Legal Counsel. The board approved, 5 - 0, eontract for $25.000 with Jon Van Dyke, Esq. to assist OHA in cases and issues related to land claims, sovereignty trust entitlements and native rights subject. They also approved 5 - 0 a contract for $45,000 with Paul Johnson Park & Niles to represent OHA in cases related to the kuleana escheat law. Both were approved subject to legal review of the contracts as they pertain to the new procurement statute. Land and Sovereignty The board approved continued legal action in two kuleana escheat cases. Board members approved, 5-0, continued pursuit of OHA's interests in Ackerman Ranch, ine. vs. Unknown Heirs or Assigns of Nahuewai, Civil No. 92-07K, in the Third Circuit Court. Board members present also agreed to direct OHA's legal counsel in the Pioneer Mill Case to litigate one elaim and negotiate a settlement in another elaim.

Entitlements Board members present approved the hire of legal counsel to do a legal review of Hawai'i Housing Authority (HHA)'s payment of OHA's entitlement on five parcels of ceded land in Wai'anae Kai,Waimānalo, Pālama. and Waiākea. OHA's appraisers and the state's appraisers put considerably different values on the parcels. whieh would affect the revenue due OHA; the share due OHA had never been discussed in light of these discrepant appraisals. Counsel was to eome back to the board with a recommendation for remedial action. Hire of counsel was also subject to legal review for the retainer as it pertains to the new procurement law. Announcements Trustee Kamaki Kanahele expressed his appreciation for having served as a board member for the past four years. Trustee Kamali'i acknowledged his contribution as a member of the Land and Sovereignty Committee. Chairman Hee acknowledged Trustees Moanike'ala Akaka, Samuel L. Kealoha, Jr. and Kīna'u Boyd Kamali'i for their personal donations to the staff's Christmas party.