Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 3, 1 March 2010 — OHA LOBBYING FOR HAWAIIANS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA LOBBYING FOR HAWAIIANS

By Francine Murray Communications Specialist With tough eeonomie times still gripping the state, OHA has proposed a deferred payment plan for past-due revenues owed to OHA

by the state for use of eeded lands. The OHA Board of Trustees sees the light at the end of the tunnel and has said they believe the state will be well on the road to eeonomie reeovery in a few years. "This bill aeknowledges that the State of Hawai'i is in dire hnaneial circumstanees so it permits a delay in payment until 2015," OHA Trustee

Walter Heen told members of the Hawaiian Affairs Committee and the Water, Land and Oeean Resources Committee at a Feb. 3 hearing. In its deferred payment plan, OHA looked at the annual payments of $30 million the state makes to the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, whieh will end in 2015. OHA is asking for its past-

due payments to start as DHHL's annual payments sunset. This proposed legislation, House Bill 2672, whieh was approved by the two House committees, would resolve past-due claims relating to the portion of ineome from the Puhlie Land Trust from 1978 to 2010. The state administration and OHA negotiated for years and concluded $200 million was fair for both Native Hawaiians and the State of Hawai'i. The payment plan would include $30 million per year until the total debt plus interest is paid. Should there be a monument to Queen Ka'ahumanu? The proposed resolution would have OHA convene a task force to consider building a monument to Queen Ka'ahumanu at Hāna, Maui. The task force would include respected kūpuna and representatives from Hawaiian organizations, such as the Royal Order of Kamehameha, 'Ahahui Ka'ahumanu, State Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations and others. During the Committee on Hawaiian Affairs hearing on Feb. 10, testimony stated the 'Ahahui Ka'ahumanu of Hāna Chapter has

supported the creation of just such a monument for years, meeting with the community to find the best loeahon, and an artist, and the coordination of an educational program around the commemorative statue. If adopted, House Concurrent Resolution 9 would have the task force prepare a report to the Legislature on the recommended location and nature of the monument. Should they remove portraits of the Provisional Government from prominent places in state buildings? In 1894, the Provisional Government declared itself to be the Republic of Hawai'i. Later, this Republic imprisoned the last reigning monarch of Hawai'i, Queen Lili'uokalani. Portraits of certain members of the Provisional Government are hung in their honor, whieh offends some Native Hawaiians and others. House Concurrent Resolution 8, approved by the Hawaiian Affairs Committee on Feb. 10, would urge the removal of portraits of officials of the Provisional Govemment from places of honor in state buildings. ■

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Two House commiftees unanimously approved a bill that would defer the state's obligation to pay OHA $200 million in past-due ceded lands revenues, starting in 201 5. Pictured, from left, are Water, Land and Oeean Resources Chairman Ken lto, and Hawaiian Affairs Chairwoman Mele Carroll and Vice Chairwoman Maile Shimabukuro. - Photo: Pmneine Murray