Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 14, Number 11, 1 November 1997 — NOVEMBER NEWS BRIEFS [ARTICLE]

NOVEMBER NEWS BRIEFS

Native Hawaiian Category in the Census U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka announced Oct. 29 the intent of the federal Office of Management and Budget to give Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders their own category in the census for the year 2000. OMB had previously planned to classify Native Hawaiians with Asians and other Pacific Islanders, a classification protested by many, including the Hawai'i congressional delegation whieh expressed unanimous opposition. "The Clinton administration has responded positively on this important issue," Akaka* said. "Native Hawaiians have a unique historical and political relationship with the United States. For the first time in 20 years, all federal forms in the country will recognize this, and all Americans will finally know who we are as a people." Representative Neil Abercrombie was also pleased with OMB's acknowledgment of "compelling" arguments by Native Hawaiians. "There is more than nomenclature at stake here," he insisted. "We are engaged in a long struggle for justice, and every act of the federal government whieh aeknowledges those issues is progress toward that goal." Alu Like ofFers business plan writing class in 1998 Beginning in January 1998, Alu Like will offer a business plan writing class on O'ahu for its Entrepreneurship Training Program (ETP) graduates and other interested native Hawaiians with existing businesses. A fee of $60 will be charged to

ETP graduates who present a copy of their ETP certificate of completion, and $150 for nonETP graduates. Those who are interested will be required to complete an applieaīion and be available for a pre-class interview with the instructor. All classes will be conducted in Alu Like's Hawai'i Computer Training Center, providing participants access to a personal eomputer during the classsroom course to write their business plan. More than 2,000 native Hawaiians have been trained in entrepreneurship by Alu Like since 1989. Manyofthose graduates are residents of Hawaiian Home Lands islandwide. For individuals who are interested in qualifying for the business plan writing class, a core entrepreneurship course starts in Honolulu on Nov. 15, 1997. Classes are scheduled for six consecutive Saturdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. A core ETP course is planned for Hilo beginning Nov. 15, for six consecutive Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. For applications and more information, please contact the Native Hawaiian Business Development Center in Honolulu at 535-6776 and in Hilo at 961-2625. BYU receives A&B grant Brigham Young University Hawai'i received a $25,000 grant from the Alexander and Baldwin Foundation for its new Hawaiian studies program. While the grant will be used to develop eunieulum and acquire library materials, the overall Hawaiian studies program will be funded with $2.5 million raised through private donations. A program of this nature has been a long-time goal of BYU-Hawai'i President Eric Shumway and the administration.

"This grant is a great aeknowledgement of support by Alexander and Baldwin that our Hawaiian Studies program is vital - not only to the university, but also to the community at large," Shumway said. "The Hawaiian studies program is focusing on academics, so this grant will be used as a springboard to help build a first-rate eunieulum and library." The presentation by A & B Foundation chair John Couch was ceremonially received with oli (chant) and 'ōlelo Hawai'i by professor William Kauaiwi'ulaokalani Wallaee, director of the Center of Hawaiian Language and Culture, along with Hawaiian studies students. "This donation, on behalf of the Hawaiian studies program, is very significant to the Hawaiian community as a whole. It solidifies our relationship with one of the most prominent loeal corporations in Hawai'i and allows us to begin moving forward with the planning and implementation of our entire program," Wallaee said. CommunityBased Eeonomie Development Training workshops targeting non-profit CBED organizations and cooperatives will be held in Hilo and in Honolulu in December. Topics will include legal structures, board and staff roles, how to run and set up a nonprofit, business planning and feasibility and finance strategies. The Hilo workshop is scheduled for Dec. 4-5, and will be held at the Agriculture Cooperative Extension, 875 Komohana St., Rm. A. Honolulu dates and location are pending. For additional information, eall the Rural Community Assis- • tance Corporation in Hilo at 934-8987 or the State CBED program in Honolulu at 586-

| 2585 or 586-2589. DHHL's | La'i'opua Village I 3 in Kona Department of Hawaiian j Home Lands chairman Kali : Watson announced the sale of : 225 modern, ranch-style homes : in Kona in September. Located : mauka of Honokōhau Harbor, : La'i'ōpua Village 3 will be the | first Hawaiian Homes residen- | tial subdivision in Kona, and the : largest on the island of Hawai'i. : Nearly 5,000 letters of ; announcement were sent to peo- : ple waiting on DHHL's Hawai'i : island residential list. The 5 1 .3-acre project calls for ; 165 developer-built production : homes and 60 self-help units : built through sub-contracts with j non-profit organizations. Prices i will likely range from $50,000 : for self-help units and from : $80,000 for developer-built : homes, but the figures are : unconfirmed. La'i'ōpua Joint Venture, the : project developer, is composed : of Menehune Development Co. : and Metcalf Construction Co„ i ine. Genesys Design Group is : the project architect, and Clark : Realty will handle the sale of the : homes. For more information, contact : Kenneth H. Toguchi, public i information specialist, at the I DHHL Information and Com- : munity Relations Office at 586- : 3840. I Lunalilo Home ; Update : R-M. Keahi Allen, Lunalilo trustee On Aug. 18, ground was broi ken and blessed by Kahu : William Kaina of Kawaiaha'o i Church for the $2.8 million ren- : ovation of the Lunalilo Home : care facility. This is the first

major renovation of the former Marconi Wireless dormitory since it was built in 1913. While the facade of the building will change little, the interior will undergo major renovations that will meet health codes, ADA codes and, in general, make the facility one that every Hawaiian will point to with pride and feel confident in placing their beloved kupuna as a resident. Air conditioning will make the 'ohana and dining rooms eomfortable for the residents and visitors alike. Common areas will be enlarged; the kitchen will become more efficient; lavatories and bathing facilities will accommodate wheel chairs; a new laundry area will be created to better serve the residents; a paved walking path and landscaping with native plants will enhanee the renovations further. In addition, an elevator will be relocated and installed to access the second floor, while a new dispensary will be larger and more efficient. The construction cost is higher than anticipated. Lunalilo trustees are investigating more sources of funding to meet the unexpected expenses. An alternative idea to help equip the home is an "Adopt-a-Room" program. The Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu has offered to raise money to outfit and equip the new dispensary. Eaeh room will need certain equipment. An organization may raise the needed funds and the trust will make the purchase, ensuring that the equipment is safe, sturdy, sanitary, meets required health codes and standards, holds up to wear and tear and is in keeping with the color schemes. The anticipated completion is scheduled for fall '98. Any club, organization, firm or individual interested in participating in the "Adopt-a-Room" program should contact Trustee R-M. Keahi Allen at 395-1000 or write to her at 501 Kekāuluohi St„ Honolulu, HI 96825. ■