Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 31, Number 4, 1 April 2014 — OHA Statement of Gommitment on Governance [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA Statement of Gommitment on Governance

Passed by the OHA Board ofTrustees on Thursday, March 6, 2014. This statement was submitted

for consideration by the Ad Hoe Committee on Governance Planning.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs M commits itself to serving the Native i . |ī Hawaiian people by facilitating a pro- | cess, in collaboration with other Native j Hawaiian institutions, by whieh Native ^ Hawaiians may choose to create a governing entity that comes from, consists of, andrepresents Native Hawaiians through

an independent election that utilizes the Native Hawaiian Roll. OHA will support the election of delegates by Native Hawaiians to convene a gathering of delegates at a Governance 'Aha. The Governance 'Aha would facilitate the opportunity for delegates to propose the form, scope and principles that would guide the Governing Entity, for the approval of Native Hawaiians. OHA commits to working with that Governing Entity, if created, to empower and assist it in ways that are consistent with OHA's statutory responsibilities and fiduciary obligations to its beneficiaries. As a facilitator and convener, OHA also commits to seeking partnerships with such entities as the Ali'i Trusts, the Royal Societies, and other Native Hawaiian institutions and organizations, to maximize the likelihood that OHA is one of several entities providing support, including funds and in-kind contributions. In collaboration with other supporting Native Hawaiian institutions, OHA's commitment will include extensive outreach to Native Hawaiians encouraging themto participate in eaeh stage of the post-Native Hawaiian Roll Commission process, including 1.) Staying informed about activities, and making informed and educated choices on decisions such as 2.) Voting for or running as delegates for the Governance 'Aha, and 3.) Voting in the referendum to follow the completion of the Governance 'Aha. OHA strongly encourages Native Hawaiians who have not signed up for the Roll to consider doing so, in order to preserve the option of participating in one or all of these steps. To assist with these steps, onee the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission announces that its work is complete and publishes the Roll, OHA will request and accept custody of the Roll. That Roll will be used as the basis for verifying eligibility to vote or run in the delegate elections, and to vote in any referendum on the Native Hawaiian governing entity's form, scope and principles. OHA will continue its current responsibilities with its Hawaiian Registry Program, consistent with applieahle law. OHA will not undermine the future Governing Entity's inherent right to determine its membership criteria. A