Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 16, Number 10, 1 October 1999 — BOARD BUSINESS [ARTICLE]

BOARD BUSINESS

At its Sept. 9 meeting, the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs approved the assignment of Trustee Louis Hao as chair of the Committee on Budget and Finance, and Trustee Colette Machado as vice chair; and Trustee Colette Machado as chair of the Committee on Program Management and Trustee Frenchy DeSoto as vice chair. The trustees voted to defer an action item reassigning the chairmanship of the Committee on Policy and Planning. ■ S. 225 S.225 from page 12 including self-help projects in Miloli'i, Keaukaha, Waimānalo and on Kaua'i and Moloka'i. In partnership with First Hawaiian Bank, OHA has created a $20 million housing loan program. OHA has also committed $7 million to Hawaiians participating in the Habitat for Humanity program. Together with DHHL, OHA has allocated $3 million for the Waimānalo kupuna housing program. OHA is now contemplating making funds available for Maui's Waiehu and 0'ahu's Kapolei housing projects located on Hawaiian Home Lands. Operation at the federal Ievel would further enhanee OHA's impact and ability to address the housing needs of all Hawaiians. AS PROPOSED, OHA's amendments to S. 225 will enhanee rather than jeopardize passage. In its amicus brief filed in Rice vs. Cayetano, the federal government recognizes OHA's status as an organization legally tasked with assisting all Hawaiians and controlled by a board of trustees they elect. Making changes to S. 225 will encourage OFLA to commit its own resources and funds to address the housing needs of all Hawaiians, including Native Hawaiians under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. Prince Kūhiō advocated a mueh lower blood quantum - just onethirty second. The divisive environment was created 78 years ago when businessmen and plantation owners succeeded in limiting the beneficiaries of the Act. Can you imagine the consequences if Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate, the Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center, Lunalilo Home and all the federal legislation covering education, job training and heahh over the last 20 years had suffered similarly imposed restrictions on their beneficiary class? Clearly, the issue here goes beyond federal funding. OHA and DHHL must pūpūkahi i holomua - unite in order to progress. ■