Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 23, Number 4, 1 April 2006 — OHA funding for programs, lond ond gronts for-reaching but not infinite [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA funding for programs, lond ond gronts for-reaching but not infinite

Aloha kākou. I answered a eall from a beneficiary the other day asking for the help of OHA in a land matter that she had pending, and for whieh she wanted legal assistance. In our discussion I asked why she decided to eall OHA, and she responded that she believed OHA was there to help people like her. In my discussion with her I heard again what I have heard many times before: "If OHA is not here to help people like me, just what is it here for, and what does it do?" OHA has a statutory mandate to provide for the betterment of Hawaiians. Without getting into the blood quantum argument currently in the courts, suffice it to say that for the last 25 years OHA has - through thick and through thin, amidst the egos and contention of its trustees - established a solid record of providing for its beneficiaries in a number of ways. Though OHA may not always assist or work with a beneficiary one-on-one, OHA has developed a profes-

sional staff, created a strategic plan and established a steady source of ineome from ceded lands revenues, at least for the time being, whieh is used to fund nonprofits. These in turn work directly with beneficiaries in the areas of health, education, housing, culture, business and economics, legal, etc. Organizations such as Alu Like, Liko A'e, Papa Ola Lōkahi, the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, Nā Pua No'eau, and others all receive funding eaeh year from OHA, and eaeh has a mission to assist Hawaiians in specific areas of eoneem and expertise. In addition, OHA awards millions of dollars in grants eaeh year to applicant organizations that demonstrate they will be able to use these moneys to help Hawaiians in everything from 'ōlelo Hawai'i to video production. These nonprofit recipients as well as the funded recipients obtain other matching funding to help achieve their objectives. Another area of OHA expenditures that has heeome apparent in the last year is land preservation for eultural purposes, with OHA now becoming a landowner in Waimea, O'ahu, and Puna, Hawai'i island, as well as contributing to a land purchase in Hāna, Maui. The future will likely see OHA involved in partnerships for affordable housing for Native Hawaiians and more involvement with our 'āina. In eaeh area that OHA contributes, the receiving organizations are the first line of assistance to our

beneficiaries. Thereafter, given the need, OHA could heeome involved. Oftentimes persons appear at our meetings and take time in the community concerns portion of the agenda to bring their concerns directly to the Board of Trustees. At other times they approach our administration directly. And other times, as in the case I referred to, they eall the trustee directly. The point is, OHA cannot do everything and be everywhere, for everyone, all the time, as well as pay for every beneficiary. We have a limited budget that we distribute as best we ean to help as many as we ean. In spite of the above, all will eome to a dead stop should OHA be found in court to be in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. That will very likely occur if Congress fails to pass the Akaka Bill, since the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in both the Arakaki and the Jolm Doe v. Kamehameha Schools cases noted the absence of a clear statement from Congress, whieh would set the standard for Hawaiian recognition by the courts. And so, perhaps now you understand a little better what OHA is here for and what we do. And maybe you ean appreciate the fact that eaeh year thousands benefit from OHA's help, whieh will continue unless we are forced to stop by the courts should we lose in Congress. With a governing entity for Hawaiians, our people will benefit and so will all of Hawai'i.

LEO 'ELELE • TRUSTEE M ESSAGES

Bnyd P. Mūssman TrustEE, Maui