Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 29, Number 11, 1 November 2012 — Wrapping up a historic year for OHA [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Wrapping up a historic year for OHA

f " * ongratulations to all of the ī public servants elected

I in 2012. Carnpaigning % ean be a grueling proJ cess. I look forward to working with all of you in the 201 3 legislative session to better the conditions of Native Hawaiians. NEW MAUI TRUSTEE AND OHA CEO OHA began the year by welcoming new Maui Trustee Carmen "Hulu" Lindsey, who was appointed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie. Trustee Lindsey brought a much-needed

burst of new energy to the board with her knowledge, experience and willingness to give her all for our beneficiaries. OHA's adnrinistration underwent nrajor changes with the appointnrent of Dr. Kamana'opono Crabbe as its new Ka Pouhana/CEO. I have been irrrpressed by his exenrplary work over the past eight nronths, and I look forward to the positive changes he will bring to OHA in the conring year. APPOINTED BAE VICE CHAIR AND SERVED AS A LEGISLATIVE LIAISON I was honored to be appointed vice chair of the Conrrrrittee on Beneficiary Advocacy and Enrpowernrent (BAE), one of only two subject-nratter eomnrittees under the board. I worked closely with BAE chair, Trustee lohn Waihe'e IV, on legislation and ongoing progranrs. I also continued to serve as one of two "legislative liaisons" appointed by Trustee Waihe'e for the 2012 legislative session. PROTECTING KULEANA LAND PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS On Nov. 22, 2011, the Star-Adver-tiser reported that the Real Property Tax Advisory Conrmission reconrmended that the City and County of Honolulu elirrrinate property tax exenrptions for about 150,000 Oahu honreowners, including kuleana landowners. Onlan. 23, 2012, 1 testified before the City CounciTs Budget Committee hearing on the Real Property Tax Advisory Commission's report. I explained the heartbreaking history of kuleana lands and stressed to the Budget Committee chair, Council member Amr Kobayashi, that OHA strongly opposed the proposal.

Tharrkfully the matter was dropped (for now at least). Upon

Council member Kobayashi's recommendation, I worked to get the state Legislature to pass a resolution supporting the protection and preservation ofkulearralarrds. On April 10, 2012, the state Senate adopted Senate ResoMon (SR) 33, wlriclr rtrged the cormties to preserve property tax

exemptions for kulearra larrds. I would like to olfer my sirrcere tlrarrks to Sen. Malama Solomon, who irrtroduced SR 33 , arrd Sens. Brickwood Galuteria, Gilbert Kalrele, Donovan Dela Cmz arrd Miehelle Kidarri for sigrring on to the resolution. I wortld like to give a big mahalo to OHA staff members Breamr Nu'uMwa, Sterhng Wong, lim MeMahon arrd Luei Meyer for all tlreir efforts to get tlris resolution passed. I would also Mke to send a special mahalo to Rep. Faye Hanohano for irrtroducing the House versions of the resolutions, HCR 1 1 7 and HR 89. However, Speaker Calvin Say killed both resolutions in the Finance Committee so we need to try again next year. SETTLEMENT BILL PASSES On April 11, 2012, irr an enrotional cerenrony at Washirrgton Plaee, Governor Abercronrbie signed tlre lristoiic $200 million settlenrent between the state arrd OHA. After nrarry years of negotiations, OHA finally resolved all clairrrs that were raised with the state relatirrg to its portion of irrconre fronr the PrtbMc Larrd Tmst fronr Nov. 7, 1978, to lune 30, 2012, on past-due arrrorrnts owed. The state has now fulfilled its constitrttional obMgations to Native Hawaiians by providing OHA with fee sinrple title to lands in Kakaako Makai. The proposal will not affect arry other clanns against the state. HAPPY THANKSGIVING May eaeh and every one of you lrave a safe and happy Thanksgiving full of wonderful food, farrrily and friends. Aloha Ke Akua. ■ lnterested in Hawaiian issues anel OHA? Please visit my website at www. rvwenaakana.org for more information or email me at rowenaa@oha.org.

Rūwena Akana Trustee, At-large