Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 17, Number 11, 1 November 2000 — Interim OHA Board takes swift action on key spending, future issues in October [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Interim OHA Board takes swift action on key spending, future issues in October

By Ryan Mielke ĪRUSTEES OF the Office of Hawaiian Affairs took swift and decisive action in multiple areas in October, affecting OHA's spending plans and support for projects of the Hawaiian community. On Oct. 25, the OHA board rescinded $7,771,783 in funding for certain grants and projects to keep OHA's budget below its new spending limit, effective immediately. Trustees set deadlines for other OHA appropriations that require use of the funding before it is returned to OHA. Areas rescinded include Hawai'i Habitat for Humanity and Kīkala-Keōkea infrastructure development, together comprising approximately $7.6 million. Trustees were quick to ensure fellow trustees and beneficiaries that while these funds were originally allocated. they either have been minimally utilized or their outlay was contingent upon Legislative match funds, and all organizations affected ean return to OHA to again request funding. The OHA board selected Salomon Smith Bamey (SSB), ine., on Oct. 17 as its investment consultant for OHA's portfolio of more than $370 million. The eompany was selected after recommendations from a review committee and oral presentations of bidders were taken into account by the OHA Board. SSB will receive a one-year, renewable contract to evaluate the performanee of OHA's 1 1 money managers. Heading up the SSB team will be Larry J.K. Goeas, first vice president, Investments, and Peter Backus, senior vice president, Investments.

The OHA board also agreed to take control of Hina Malailena, the Hāna Village Marketplace project, subject to a due diligence report conducted by OHA and advice of counsel. This project will afford Hawaiian businesses and crafts people the opportunity to thrive in

the Hāna area. At press time, a meeting of the OHA Board of Trustees was set to take plaee in Hāna on Oct. 31 to discuss and examine firsthand the Hāna Village Marketplace. The project has languished over the last few years as tenants and leaseholders related to the pro-

ject volleyed over a myriad of details, such as the type of beverages for sale at the anchor-tenant restaurant. OHA's enhanced interest in the project is intended to ensure swift resolution to these issues in the interest of the Hawaiian proprietors in Hāna. Also on Oct. 17, the OHA board appointed an ad hoe committee to consider the establishment of a eommuni-ty-based development bank. The committee has since met to lay the groundwork for the concept, to be taken up by trustees elected Nov. 7. The Board also appointed Trustee Ilei Beniamina to the Native Hawaiian Historic Preservation Council. for the first time, the OHA Board took action related to incidents of defamation and slander. In doing so, it adopted the following: "OHA is concerned that no defamatory material or statements are presented at OHA Board of Trustees and committee meetings. In the unlikely event that this situation should develop, it will be necessary to eall this to the attention of the persons making those statements, and request that they desist in their action. Such information will be stricken ffom the record, if necessary." Key issues remain on the Board's docket before its interim period closes, such as the question as to whether OHA formally shows intent to purchase the U.S. Post Office building across from 'Iolani Palaee and the Capitol. The board is also poised to act on the hire of its counsel as well as the renewal of OHA's lease at its Honolulu office. ■

Trustees Hannah Springer, Nālani Olds, Chairman Clayton Hee, Trustees Gladys Brandt, Dante Carpenter and liei Beniamina stand at the entrance of Nāwahīokalani'ōpu'u Hawaiian immersion site at Kea'au, Hawai'i, prior to a recent board meeting.

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