OFFICE
OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS
State
of OHA and the Native Hawaiian Community
Remarks
of Trustee Haunani Apoliona, MSW
Chairperson,
Board of Trustees
Wednesday,
December 7, 2005, 11 a.m.
Kawaiahaʻo
Church
Introduction
Aloha mai
kākou e nā ‘ōiwi ‘ōlino mai Hawai‘i a
Ni‘ihau a puni ke ao mālamalama.
Aloha e nā
kūpuna, nā mākua, nā ‘ōpio, nā keiki
a me nā kamaiki e ‘ākoakoa mai nei, ma kēia hale
pule la‘ahia ‘o Kawaiaha‘o a maloko i ko kākou mau hale
ʻohana a puni ke ao mālamalama.
Aloha e nā
kama‘āina a me nā malihini kekahi. Aloha nō kākou
a pau loa.
‘Oiai e hiki
koke mai ana ka hopena o kēia makahiki, he wā kūpono
kēia e helu a e ho‘omana‘o i nā hana nui a ko‘iko‘i
o nā mahina i hala aku nei a ke Ke‘ena Kuleana Hawai‘i, a me
ke kaiāulu ‘ōiwi Hawai‘i kekahi.
No laila, e
ho‘omaka kākou.
Translation:
Greetings to our esteemed fellow Native Hawaiians
from Hawai‘i to Ni‘ihau and around this brilliant world. Aloha
to the elders, adults, youth, children and toddlers who have
assembled here at mid-day at this sacred church, Kawaiaha‘o.
Greetings to long time residents and newcomers alike. Aloha to you
all!
As the year quickly comes to a
close, this is a fitting time for us to collectively recall the many
important accomplishments over the past months of the Office of
Hawaiian Affairs and the Native Hawaiian Community, our
beneficiaries. Therefore, let us begin.
Aloha and
welcome to all who have taken the time to gather with us, in our
homeland and elsewhere, to hear this message.
When
we talk about the State of OHA, we are also talking about the state
of the Native Hawaiian people and the challenges and opportunities
for the Native Hawaiian community. We are also talking about the
state of the soon-to-be Native Hawaiian nation and OHA’s role in
relation to this Native nation. Since “State of OHA 2004” twelve
months ago, much has occurred. We have accomplished some important
tasks along the way but there remain several issues of great concern.
This morning I will focus on a few key areas and suggest how we,
Native Hawaiian people and all the people of Hawaiʻi, can move
forward from here, sustaining our host culture by bringing the best
of our values and tradition from the past with us into the future.
Our
tradition teaches us that there is power in the “word” – i ka
ʻōlelo ke ola, i ka ʻōlelo ka make. That is why we are
taught to be careful of how we use our words, cautious about what we
promise by our words, and respectful of what we declare by our words.
Through theʻōlelo, our kūpuna (ancestors) continue to
inspire, guide and teach us through ‘ōlelo no‘eau. It
is our kuleana to apply their timeless wisdom to do good and make a
positive difference. I share three ‘ōlelo no‘eau with
you to set the context for my remarks today.
I.
E kaupē aku no i ka hoe a kō mai. (Put
forward the paddle and draw it back.) This ‘ōlelo
no‘eau urges us to go on with the task that is started and
finish it.
When
the Office of Hawaiian Affairs was created in 1978, it was tasked
with bettering the conditions of Native Hawaiians, a broad mandate
covering many areas of priority and need. While some improvements are
occurring, Native Hawaiians continue the struggle to surmount dismal
socio-economic statistics in terms of education, health,
homelessness, substance abuse, incarceration, and similar outcomes of
dispossession.
Bettering the
conditions of Native Hawaiians in the socio-economic, political,
legal, cultural, native rights, natural resource, and environmental
areas has proven to be a daunting task over the past 25 years, not
just for OHA but for all public and private trusts established to
serve Native Hawaiians.
Today’s
pause in our journey gives us a chance to look back over the last
twelve months, and I would like to share with you a few highlights of
how the Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs have addressed
these areas of mandate in the year 2005. (A detailed 14
page summary is attached to the copy of this speech.)
In
the area of education, OHA awarded 22 grants and 91
scholarships totaling $7.2 million. This includes
a total two-year funding of $4.4 million, $2.2 million per
year for two years, to Hawaiian-focused charter schools.
Of this $7 million total, more than $5 million is for programs
occurring in Department of Education public schools.
17
business loans to Native Hawaiian businesses, totaling $917,000;
62
personal loans totaling $240,000; and
12
grants to community-based organizations totaling $350,000.
In
the area of native rights, OHA responded to more than 600
requests for comments on land-altering activities and environmental
issues concerning water use, cultural impacts, special management
areas, land use, and protection of burial sites and ʻiwi.
Of
particular note is our collaboration with the Pele Defense Fund,
Trust for Public Land, State Department of Land and Natural
Resources, and USDA Forest Legacy Program to purchase and protect
26,000 acres of conservation land, Wao Kele O Puna, the last lowland
rainforest in all of Hawai‘i nei.
Of
equal significance, is that when title to these lands is conveyed to
the Office of Hawaiian of Affairs in 2006, it will be the first
parcel of crown or kingdom land returned to Native Hawaiian control,
since the 1893 overthrow of the kingdom.
As mentioned
earlier, more details on OHA’s funding, including initiatives in
the areas of health and human services, grant awards and
accomplishments these past twelve months can be found in the summary
sheets attached to these written remarks.
Another fact
of note, for fiscal year 2005, is OHA’s investment portfolio
increase by approximately $55 million due to prudent actions taken
under our investment policy. On September 30, 2005, our portfolio
was valued at $363.9 million, slightly better than the reported
all-time high of $359.7 million on June 30, 2000.
Our
Trustees’ goal in growing the portfolio is to increase the annual
allocation of funds, as permissible by our spending policy,
for grants and awards OHA can distribute to relevant community-based
initiatives and projects that: (1) enhance the quality of life for
Native Hawaiians, and (2) strengthen capacity in our communities and
families. We also need to assure
adequate funding to continue ongoing advocacy efforts that will
result in systemic changes to achieve positive impact for Native
Hawaiians and in turn, improve conditions for all in Hawai’i.
Concurrently, we keep our eye on the horizon for the time when a
matured Native Hawaiian Governing entity will assume responsibility
to administer and grow the assets transferred to it by the Office of
Hawaiian Affairs and Hawaiian Homelands. A lot of work has been
done. But indeed, there is much more to do.
Of
particular concern this year are the continuing legal attacks
designed to end Native Hawaiian programs and funds
by dismantling OHA and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
and unraveling the missions of our Aliʻi Trusts. Plaintiffs and
attorneys, unified in their purpose and mindset, seek to eliminate
the Native Hawaiian admission preference policy at Kamehameha
Schools.
Two
adverse decisions this year from the 9th Circuit, Arakaki
v. Lingle and Doe v. Kamehameha Schools, underscore more
than ever the need for us to come together and support formal U.S.
congressional recognition of Native Hawaiians as an indigenous
people.
These
plaintiffs and their attorneys are linked to well-financed and
politically-connected special interests. These parties intend to
continue filing lawsuits until they succeed in dismantling all
Native Hawaiian rights and programs.
As
a community, we cannot let these two 9th Circuit decisions
stand. We must challenge these decisions, in court and in Congress,
because they seek to undermine all that we are and eliminate all the
gains we have made in the past 112 years. If we do not stand up now,
we can expect these plaintiffs to eventually seek to eliminate
tuition waivers at the University of Hawai‘i; stop all
federal funding for health, education, job training, and economic
development; and challenge the survival of the other Aliʻi Trusts.
The Office of
Hawaiian Affairs, along with DHHL and our Aliʻi Trusts, must and will
vigorously defend against these efforts ---- whatever it takes.
The Office of
Hawaiian Affairs has been in the Federal Courts since the year 2000.
We have been to District Court, the Circuit Court of Appeals, and the
U.S. Supreme Court. We do not relish the thought of spending anymore
time in these courtrooms. Nor do we relish deploying any more trust
assets in the remaining half of this decade to Federal court battles
when we could redirect these same resources to needs and priorities
of Native Hawaiians.
We
are only in the Federal Courts because a few file the
legal complaints to hold hostage the many while
concurrently attempting to rewrite history and instill fear in the
community in which we live.
This is a
battle that Native Hawaiians and ALL who support justice and fairness
intend to finish and win.
II.
‘A‘ohe hana nui ke alu ‘ia. (No
task is too big when done together by all.) This second
‘ōlelo no‘eau reminds us that nothing is impossible,
no task is beyond our successful reach, when there is unified effort.
The task I am
referring to is the building of a Native Hawaiian nation. This is
our best legal and political option at this time in our history to,
once and for all, affirm Native Hawaiians as an indigenous group of
people. Native Hawaiians are not a “racial minority” as the
“special interest opponents” would like you to believe. As an
aboriginal people indigenous to these islands, Hawaiʻi pae‘āina,
we are a special political class entitled to certain protections
under United States law.
Establishing
ourselves as a Native Hawaiian nation will help to protect Native
Hawaiian assets, federal funding and programs, and the Ali‘i
trusts.
To
this end, OHA has helped to further nation-building by:
Supporting,
since February 2004, and throughout 2005,
the Native Hawaiian Coalition, an informal group of
organizations and individuals tasked with determining the steps to
be followed in the process of building a Native Hawaiian governing
entity, inclusive of Native Hawaiians both in Hawaiʻi and away from
our shores, and to involve all Native Hawaiians in these steps going
forward; and in fulfillment of their mission “to establish a
process that will provide the Hawaiian people with a mechanism for
achieving self-governance through self-determination” (NHC mission
statement)
Supporting
KAU INOA, a registration of all Native Hawaiians, wherever they may
reside; and
Supporting
passage of S. 147- The Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act
of 2005 (Akaka Bill), one of the few options available to us today
to protect Native Hawaiian assets, programs, and funding.
We
know there is disagreement within the Hawaiian community about S.147
and federal recognition. To that end, we encourage all Native
Hawaiians to get involved and find out the facts. Be informed.
Don’t rely on second-hand or third-hand information. Read the Bill
for yourself, understand what it means, and share your mana‘o
with your ‘ohana. We cannot let the hurt, anger, and mistrust
generated by the past infect and spoil the renewed efforts to
generate positive outcomes for Native Hawaiians and Hawai’i nei.
Building a
nation cannot be done alone or by only a handful of people. All
Native Hawaiians need to participate. OHA cannot do it alone. All
Native Hawaiian organizations and Trusts need to step forward and
discuss nation-building with their beneficiaries and constituents.
Native Hawaiian families must get informed and encourage education on
these matters within the ʻohana. We must seek and welcome support
from non-Natives, as well, in our pursuits. Natives and non-Natives
unified for this cause will insure success. In 2005, over 2,000
supporters of
S. 147
courageously stepped forward to place their names in two full-page
advertisements in the newspaper and over 200 gathered in unified
voice at ʻIolani Palace on an August morning to declare, “S.147,
ʻAE”.
Native
Hawaiians have a cultural and spiritual capacity to work toward
resolution of problems and conflict. We have strength in
reconciliation. Now is the time to use our
ancestral wisdom and
discernment to forge common ground among our Native Hawaiians, chart
the course for the Native Hawaiian nation, and make it a reality.
With
nation-building, we have the opportunity to revisit the words of
Queen Liliʻuokalani who, in 1917, near the end of her life said, “I
could not turn back the political change.” In 2005 going forward,
we have the opportunity to redirect that political change into
one that can be of benefit to present and future generations. We
must succeed. Our degree of success
will be weighed by our capacity to work in unified effort.
The OHA
trustees and administrator established a Washington D.C. Bureau in
2003 to assure an ongoing national presence and advocate for more
than 401,000 Native Hawaiians. The primary goal is to educate
Congress and the executive branch on issues important to Native
Hawaiians and secure passage of favorable legislation at the national
level.
In 2005, our Washington
Bureau developed national partnerships for OHA and facilitated OHA’s
co-sponsorship in 32 events and represented OHA at over 50 D.C.,
Congressional, Departmental, Alaska Native, American Indian, national
and pacific organization meetings and events; and hosted Native
Hawaiians and visitors to increase awareness of issues important to
Native Hawaiians.
Passage
of S.147 (the Akaka Bill) is the primary focus of the OHA D.C. Bureau
because Native Hawaiian public and private trusts, programs, assets,
and cultural resources are likely to be lost to future generations as
a result of hostile litigation and misinformation. Enactment of
S.147 is a solution NOW, because it reaffirms and clarifies
the United States’ political and legal relationship with Native
Hawaiians and establishes a process for federal recognition of a
reorganized Native Hawaiian governing entity.
In 2005, the
OHA D.C. Bureau coordinated initiatives with OHA trustees and the
administrator, legal advisors, the Hawai‘i congressional delegation
and key staff, the Governor of Hawai‘i, State and County
policy-makers, Native Hawaiian royal societies, homesteaders,
Hawaiian civic clubs, other Hawaiian organizations, American Indians,
Alaska Natives, various Pacific and Asian American organizations, and
an array of civil rights organizations to increase national
understanding of our distinct Native Hawaiian community and secure
support for passage of S.147- the Native Hawaiian Government
Reorganization Act of 2005 (the Akaka Bill).
Our
presence in Washington, D.C., has reminded us that most people DO
NOT KNOW that Native Hawaiians and our Native Hawaiian
culture exist today, NOR DO THEY KNOW the history of
the overthrow of our sovereign Hawaiian nation. They do not
understand we are a unique, indigenous community living as Native
Hawaiians through our ʻohana, cultural practices, Hawaiian
institutions and organizations, and churches, while also
living life to succeed within Western
priorities and values. Washington D.C. and surrounding areas may
not know all there is, but with our unified and diligent efforts they
are learning.
III.
‘A‘ohe loa‘a i ka noho wale. (Nothing is
gained by idleness.)
This third,
and final, ‘ōlelo no‘eau, shared this morning reminds
us that success is not earned without hard work, joint effort and
the commitment of energy and passion to strive.
In
seeking to build a nation and protect what many have worked in the
past 112 years to achieve, we need to take action NOW. Native
Hawaiians, throughout this nation and the world, must step forward to
be counted. We are fast approaching 50,000 KAU INOA registrations,
and we have 8 times that number to go if we are to achieve the levels
of outreach to Native Hawaiians counted by Census 2000. We need to
rebuild and reorganize our nation NOW. We cannot sit
idly by and wait for others to do it for us. We must not let a few,
disgruntled voices misrepresent our history. Nor can we let loud
voices of intimidation attempt to control the process. Individual
personal agendas of self-service within
our Hawaiian community must not be allowed to detract from
moving toward the greater good.
Lastly, on
this commemorative day for Pearl Harbor, December 7, we are once
again reminded of the patriotism of people in Hawai‘i over these
decades of world conflict. We know indigenous people nationwide
serve in the U.S. military at rates higher than any other ethnic
group in the U.S. We are respectful and proud of all of Hawai‘i’s
daughters and sons who have served America with distinction over the
years, some to whom we have said goodbye … in this very Church.
I
challenge all Native Hawaiians, and non-Hawaiians who support us, to
extend patriotism to the building of our Native Hawaiian nation.
Let the principles of self-determination be applied to the
domestic agenda for Native Hawaiians. Our survival as a unique
group of people, nurtured by culture and values millennia old,
depends on our ability to withstand these legal attacks. The
survival of the host Hawaiian culture, the foundation of our unique
Hawaiʻi life style and multi-dimensional community, depends on the
collective efforts of all of Hawai‘i’s people, kamaʻāina,
and malihini.
Closing
In
our journey to rectify the past, we continue to be helped by many
native people along the way including Alaska Natives, Indian tribes
and native nations across the U.S, native nations in the Pacific, and
other civil rights organizations throughout America. Alaska Natives
and American Indians share their wisdom so we can learn from their
experiences. Therefore, in closing, I wish to use a quote from one of
their leaders, Vine Deloria, a beloved
Indian writer who died just a few weeks ago. In his book Custer
Died for Your Sins, in discussing the years of mistreatment and
injustice by the U.S., Mr. Deloria notes, “It is up to us to write
the [next] chapter of the American Indian upon this continent.”
We, today,
have the same opportunity to write the “next chapter” for the
Native Hawaiian (in Hawaiian history).
Let
us build a nation, a Native Hawaiian governing entity, with leaders
and members who will go forward to reconcile past injustices and
build for the future. Let us build a nation that embraces all Native
Hawaiians, wherever they reside. Let us build a Native Hawaiian
nation that respects the many non-Hawaiians who call Hawai‘i
home; who have embraced our host Hawaiian culture as theirs in the
multicultural lifestyle that is unique to Hawai’i, remembering that
the faces of our 21st century ʻohana mirror all these
cultures.
When we have
done all of this, charting justice for Native Hawaiians, aware of
the challenges and significant strides of the last 112 years,
crafting changes which remain to be done while being sensitive to the
needs of all who call Hawai’i home, we will have begun to write
the next chapter in Hawaiian history. We, collectively committed, can
and will make profound and magnificent progress, and it will be a
story for and about Native Hawaiians of which we will all be proud.
And finally, I
want to say mahalo a nui loa to all the working hands of the Office
of Hawaiian Affairs, our staff and employees. Our foundation of work
that serves Native Hawaiian beneficiaries is one built by your labor
and dedication to the mission.
On behalf of
the OHA Board of Trustees and our community we thank you and those
who have supported our efforts. May 2006 and beyond continue to mark
successful steps toward our promising future.
Nolaila……………………………………
I mua, e nā
pōki‘i, a inu i ka wai ʻawaʻawa. ʻAʻohe hope e hoʻi mai
ai.
Indeed there
is no retreat.
Mahalo and
aloha!
SUMMARY SHEET ATTACHMENTS
PAGES 9-22
OFFICE
OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS
State
of OHA and the Native Hawaiian Community
OHA
Activities, Funding, & Accomplishments in 2005
December 7,
2005
Nation-Building
Conducted
KAU INOA support registration at more than 120 community events
Held
more than 70 meetings with community groups and individuals to
explain nation-building and encourage participation
Held
12 meetings with Native Hawaiians in California, Oregon, Arizona,
Washington state, Utah, Nevada, Texas, and New York City to
encourage their participation in nation-building.
Canvassed
four Hawaiian communities (Kahana Valley, Waikāne, Haleʻiwa,
and Waiālua) to encourage participation in nation-building
Assisted
in obtaining 42,000 KAU INOA
registrations to date
Supported
more than 10 meetings of the Native Hawaiian Coalition, an informal
group of individuals and organizations tasked with determining the
steps to form a nation
Engaged
experts to provide analysis on S.147 (the Akaka Bill), including
Professor Charles Wilkinson of the University of Colorado, Professor
Viet H. Dinh of Georgetown University, and attorney Patricia Zell
(former Chief Counsel for U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs)
Published
two full-page advertisements of 2,000 supporters of S.147
Organized
press conferences and sign-waving to show broad cross-section of
support for S. 147 and protection of Hawaiian programs and assets
Sponsored
presentations throughout the community by attorney Patricia Zell
(former Chief Counsel for U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs)
to explain S. 147 and its impact on Hawai‘i
Broadcast
primetime television show Viewpoint: Why Hawaiian Federal
Recognition, KITV, with former Governor John Waihee, OHA Chair
Haunani Apoliona, SCHHA President Tony Sang, and UH Law Professor
Jon Van Dyke
Broadcast
and distributed The Hawaiians, Reflecting Spirit film by Edgy
Lee
Held
two-day Visioning Conference in Hāna, Maui
Provided
grant of $150,000 to community filmmaker to offset costs for Ku‘u
‘Āina Aloha: My Beloved Country, an 85-minute
documentary on Queen Lili‘uokalani’s musical compositions and
leadership
Built
relationships with other native groups, including students from
Arizona Navajo College and leaders of the Marianas Public Land
Authority of the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands
Produced
four television commercials encouraging registration in KAU INOA
Supported
the establishment of the Princess Victoria Ka’iulani Hawaiian
Civic Club in
Chicago,
established and chartered in 2005 by the Association of Hawaiian
Civic Clubs,
at
Convention in Kohala, Hawai’i.
OHA
Washington D.C. Bureau
Met
with members of Congress and the executive branch to discuss Native
Hawaiian issues and secure passage of favorable legislation,
including the Akaka Bill
Established
and maintained relationships with dozens of national organizations
to garner their support on Hawaiian issues
Briefed
key Congressional staff and representatives of national
organizations on the Akaka Bill and Native Hawaiian issues
Hosted,
sponsored, or co-sponsored 32 Hawaiian, Pacific, Asian-Pacific
Islander, Alaska Native, and American Indian events
Coordinated
delivery of materials and information on Native Hawaiian history and
issues to fifty (50) newly elected members of Congress and their
staff, as well as staff of the executive branch
Maintained
support and formed new relationships with dozens of organizations at
the national level keeping them informed of the status of S.147 and
efforts to achieve enactment
Assisted
in securing a resolution of support from the intertribal Council of
Arizona, and 400 statements of support for S. 147 to Congress from
Native peoples of the National Indian Education Association
Served
as a resource for Ke Aliʻi Maka’āinana Hawaiian Civic Club,
the first Hawaiian civic club to be established on the East Coast of
the United States
Represented
OHA at more than 50 congressional, departmental, Alaska Native,
American Indian, and national organization events
Represented
OHA in the National Congress of American Indians’ Federal
Acknowledgement Task Force meetings
Co-sponsored
the 2005 Pacifika New York Hawaiian Film Festival and a reception
honoring Oscar Temaru, president of Tahiti
Served as co-chair for
Pacific Night 2005, a coordinated effort among Pacific embassies,
offices, and representatives located in Washington, D.C., to increase
awareness about issues facing the Pacific peoples
Education
Provided
grants to Hawaiian Focused Public Charter Schools: $4.4
million ($2.2 million/year for 2 years), plus 11 small grants of
$24,999 each to support academic programs in Hawaiian Focused Public
Charter Schools
Provided
grant to Ke Kula Ni‘ihau O Kekaha public charter school:
$50,000 for emergency renovations
Provided
grant to Nā Pua No‘eau: FY04-05 $581,948 ($290,974
from State Legislature) for program for gifted and talented Native
Hawaiian children, reaching 600 children in six islands; plus
FY05-06 grant of $707,208 total, with $353,604 coming from
State Legislature
Provided
grant of $300,00 over two years ($150,00 per year) to College
Connections Hawai‘i for college preparation for 500 Native
Hawaiian public school students
Provided
grant for OHA Olomana Program at DOE’s Olomana School at the
Hawai‘i Youth Correctional Facility to bring in kūpuna to
teach incarcerated youth Hawaiian culture and values: FY04-05:
6/1/04-5/31/05 = $38,189, grant contracted and monitored; Action
Item 6/28/05 = $100,000 ($50,000/year for 2 years)
Continued
to work with DOE to provide up to $500,000 per year to support Kula
Kaiapuni, the DOE’s Hawaiian Language Immersion Program
Provided
college scholarships to 91 Native Hawaiian students for a total of
$125,000 in FY04-05; Higher Ed Scholarship program also has granted
funds to Native Hawaiian students in calendar year 2005: as of
12/01/05 = $90,000 for 45 regular college students plus $3,470
tuition-only payments for 10 Ni‘ihau students at Kaua‘i CC
Provided
grant of $305,000 to support the development and implementation of
Hawaiian Studies courses and ceded lands research training at the UH
Center for Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
FY-05 was the third year of the five-year grant
Provided
grants to Olomana, Keaukaha Elementary, and Nānākuli High
and Intermediate schools to fund programs that focus on computers,
and literacy and math tutoring; grants total $161,000; plus grants
to Hilo High, Hāna High and Ānuenue School for tutorial,
music and sports programs
Provided
grant of $50,000 to UH Kua‘ana Native Hawaiian Student
Development Services to train UH students to become literacy tutors
and mentors to Hawaiian elementary students at Ma‘ema‘e
Elementary School
Provided
funding of $24,999 to Kula No Nā Po‘e Hawai‘i, an
organization that provides educational activities for the Papakōlea,
Kewalo and Kalāwahine Hawaiian Homestead communities
Provided
funding of $49,737 to Kaua‘i Community College’s
project Ka Hale Pono, which offers after-school tutoring, health
education classes and life skills training to the Anahola Hawaiian
Homestead community
Provided
operating funds of $91,700 for Aka‘ula School, a small, private
intermediate school on Moloka‘i that serves a predominately
Native Hawaiian student population
Provided
grant of $40,825 for the purchase of a van to assist with
transportation for students at Kua O Ka Lā Public Charter
School
Contracted
with UH-Hilo’s Nā Pua No‘eau program to redesign the
current ‘Aha ‘Ōpio program into a multi-year,
multi-event, multi-faceted youth leadership initiative
Provided
funds of $10,323 for classroom furniture and equipment to Kula
Aupuni Ni‘ihau A Kahelelani Public Charter School, which serves
Native Hawaiian students of Ni‘ihau families living on the
island of Kaua‘i
Provided
funding of $24,986 for Hawaiian language family days at He‘eia
Fishpond
Provided
funding to Wai‘anae Coast Early Childhood Services to offer
scholarships for Native Hawaiian keiki ages three to four to attend
their Wai‘anae Coast preschool and upgrade their facilities to
meet federal requirements for a total of $62,490
Provided
funding of $49,500 to Pacific American Foundation for development,
production and teacher training of “Kahea Loko,” a Native
Hawaiian fishpond cultural practices curriculum
Provided
$500,000 in vocational education scholarships to Native Hawaiian
students in trade training with the Building Industry Association
($125,000), Wai‘anae Maritime Academy ($125,000), and Hawai‘i
Technology Institute computer program ($250,000)
Provided
funds for two awards and the presentation banquet at the Native
Hawaiian Education Association’s annual convention, scholarships
for low-income Native Hawaiians to attend, and excellence in
teaching awards
Provided
grant of $3,525 for six Native Hawaiians to enroll in an Asthma
Educator-Certification preparatory class
Served
as member of the Native Hawaiian Education Council; DOE’s Pihana
Nā Mamo program focusing on special education; DOE’s Hawaiian
Language Immersion Advisory Council; ‘Eleu Early Childhood
Education group
Worked
closely with Native Hawaiian Education Association, Native Hawaiian
Education Council, OHA’s Advisory Committee on Education, DOE
schools with high numbers of Hawaiian students, and communities with
DOE Immersion schools and Hawaiian language programs
Provided
assistance and technical support to various Hawaiian Civic Clubs on
education-related matters, especially concerning Hawaiian language
and issues related to the No Child Left Behind Act
Continuing
work with DOE, NHEC, NHEA and other Native Hawaiian education
community partners to produce a “Native Hawaiian Best Practices in
Education Conference,” scheduled for January 2006
Facilitated
and moderated 2 one-hour ‘Ōlelo video shoots on Native
Hawaiian Early Childhood Education issues
Ongoing
facilitation of three 30-second Public Service Announcements on
KHON-TV on Native Hawaiian Early Childhood Education issues for
KHON’s “First Five” Campaign
Provided
$4,400 support for Ho‘owaiwai Nā Kamali‘i’s 2nd
Annual “Kumukahi Summit” on Native Hawaiian Early Childhood
Education
Provided
consistent advocacy to Board of Education on Native Hawaiian issues,
leading to inclusion in BOE’s “Mission, Vision and Goals”
statement of a commitment to support culturally-appropriate
education for Native Hawaiian students
Housing
Provided
grant to Habitat for Humanity: $1.5 million ($300,000/year for 5
years) to provide mortgage funding for 75 families
Monitored
OHA Fannie Mae Program with First Hawaiian Bank and Bank of Hawai‘i,
which provides mortgage loans up to 103% of purchase price to cover
down payments and minimize closing costs. This remains as an option
for Native Hawaiians that need this type of housing assistance.
A total of 27 loans have been made under this program (since 2002).
Provided
grants to 3 non-profit organizations to conduct OHA Pathway to
Homeownership workshops, reaching 900 Native Hawaiian households
Continued
partnership with the Department of Land and Natural Resources to
re-settle 48 families in the Kīkala-Kēōkea
subdivision of the Kalapana area
Health
Provided
two grants to Papa Ola Lōkahi to (1) organize the traditional
healers to discuss recordation of traditional information and
certification of new healers ($25,000), and (2) gather traditional
healers at Lapakahi, the historical site where Hawaiian healers
throughout the islands gathered during Makahiki ($25,000).
Provided
grant in the amount of $16,000 to Native Hawaiian Workgroup of the
Hawai’i Uninsured Project to (1) examine the Native Hawaiian
Uninsured population, and (2) update 1999 actuary study An
Assessment: The Native Hawaiian Health Plan.
Provided
grant to American Lung Association of Hawai‘i for promotion of
asthma program “Open Airways for Schools” ($50,000)
Provided
grant to Paoakalani Production to provide culture-based
psychotherapy to Hawaiian youth ($24,800)
Provided
grant to Global Medilink Technology for Oral Health
Promotion/Disease Prevention college level curriculum to help 100
students to become certified outreach workers ($24,725). This is
part of a 100-hour certificate program statewide in all the
community colleges.
Provided
grant to Ko‘olau Community Health & Wellness Center so
uninsured children and youth can have access to healthcare services
($36,126).
Provided
grant to Marimed Foundation for basic food literacy and nutrition
for youth in substance abuse program and in recovery ($15,035).
Provided
grant to Pa‘i Foundation to place 10 Native Hawaiian students
in Harvard Medical School’s summer program ($13,200).
Provided
grant in partnership with U.S. National Institutes of Health and six
(6) other states to co-sponsor the Pacific Region Diabetes Education
Program conference ($7,708). Five Native Hawaiians attended the
conference as part of the sponsorship.
Provided
grant to Papa Ola Lōkahi for 4,500 Stop Smoking Kits ($24,800).
Provided
grant to the Department of Health to fund Nurse’s Aide training
and Apprenticeship Program to increase the number of Hawaiians who
would be certified to work in Long Term Care ($25,000).
Provided
grants totaling $80,000 ($40,000 from State Legislature) to several
programs relating to the Native Hawaiian Diet and reducing risk
factors for chronic diseases through nutrition and exercise.
Human
Services
Provided
grant to Lunalilo Home: $300,000 ($150,000/year for 2 years)
Provided
grant to Alu Like Adult Correctional Program to use Hawaiian culture
to facilitate rehabilitation: $100,000 ($50,000/year for 2 years)
Contracted
with Alu Like to provide cultural program at Olomana, Hawai‘i
Youth Correctional Facility: $100,00 ($50,000/year for 2 years)
Provided
grant to Hawai‘i Family Law Center, Ala Kuola program, for a
domestic violence prevention/intervention program: $25,000
Monitored
grant to Alu Like, Inc.: $1.3 million ($600,000 from State
Legislature)
Provided
smaller grants totaling $1.1 to organizations addressing substance
abuse, transitional housing, domestic violence counseling and
prevention, HIV/AIDS prevention and case management, culture-based
programs for incarcerated youth, and transportation services for
kūpuna
Worked
with two organizations to address homelessness, Solidarity with the
Homeless and the Wai‘anae Homeless Summit
Responded
to 93 requests from incarcerated
Hawaiians for education and cultural materials
Allocated
$175,000 to address needs of pa‘ahao (incarcerated Hawaiians)
Served
on Governor’s Native Hawaiian Foster Parent Advisory Committee
Economic
Development
Under
Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Program for business loans:
Made
17 loans to Native Hawaiian businesses totaling $917,000 and
creating or retaining 43 jobs
Provided
entrepreneurial training and technical assistance to 461 Native
Hawaiians
Contracted
with 19 accountants, business consultants, and other professionals
to provide assistance to Native Hawaiian business owners
Reviewed
ANA Commissioner’s Report and put appropriate changes in place
for the Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Program
Made
62 Micro-loans totaling $240,000 and impacting 225 Native Hawaiians
Made
grants to 12 community-based organizations totaling $350,000 through
our Community-Based Economic Development (CBED) program
Native
Rights, Land & Culture
Monitored
grant to Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation: $1.1 million ($550,000
from State Legislature)
Tracked
and presented testimony on 250 pieces of legislation proposed in the
State Legislature
Provided
assistance to Legislative Reference Bureau and other state agencies
Attended
agency meetings at Board of Water Supply, the Board of Land and
Natural Resources, the Land Use Commission, the State Commission on
Water Resource Management, County Councils, and Island Burial
Councils
Responded
to requests for comments on land-altering activities affecting
Hawaiian access and traditional rights, including
26
Army permits
117
Environmental Assessments
28
Environmental Impact Statements
5
CCH-OA-96-1
38
Cultural Impact Statements
17
Conservation District Use Applications
3
Land Use Petition Amendments
1
Land Use BDA
9
Land Use Commission zoning changes
2
Memoranda of Agreement
4
Native American Graves Protection & Repatriation Act requests
6
Programmatic Agreements
261
Review and Comment Requests
85
Section 106 reviews
1
Special District Use Permit
14
Shoreline Setback Permit Reviews
23
Special Management Areas
1
Stream Alteration Permit
31
Water Land Use Permit Applications
Successfully
advocated for the state’s creation of the Northwestern Hawaiian
Islands Marine Refuge, with total protection of state waters in that
area with allowance for traditional and customary Native Hawaiian
use
Advocated
and entered into litigation to protect the waters of ‘Īao
Aquifer and Nā Wai ‘Ehā, Maui, and the traditional
and customary native rights associated with those waters
Advocated
against the use of drinking water for golf courses in Waiawa, O‘ahu
Worked
with Maui County on the update to their Water Use and Development
Plan
Entered
into a contested case at DLNR to protect traditional and customary
rights of Hawaiians who use the Wailua River, Kaua‘i
Began
2-year study with U.S. Geological Survey to document actual water
uses of kalo farmers across Hawai‘i to support future legal
defense of water rights
Helped
oversee implementation of Native Americans Grave Protection and
Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and State statute
Testified
at NAGPRA meetings in Washington, D.C., and Honolulu
Met
with NASA for report on Mauna Kea EIS
Worked
with communities and landowners to support coastal zone studies,
including Papohaku Dunes on Moloka’i
Worked
with members of the Native Hawaiian Historic Preservation Council to
ensure protection of land, water, other natural resources, and
native rights
Made
recommendation on Stryker Brigade
Continued
to serve on the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve Commission
Land
Policy & Acquisition
Worked
with the Pele Defense Fund, the Trust for Public Land, DLNR, and
USDA Forest Legacy Program to purchase and protect the 25,855 acres
of Wao Kele O Puna native lowland rainforest in Hawai‘i, the
last of its kind in Hawai‘i; when title is conveyed to OHA in
2006, it will be the first parcel of crown or kingdom land to return
to Native Hawaiian control since the overthrow of the monarchy in
1893
Completed
assistance in the acquisition of Mū‘olea Point, Kīpahulu
Maui, to protect threatened cultural sites and Native Hawaiian
access to coastal resources
Participated
in due diligence efforts to consider acquisitions of two other
parcels
Formulated
a committee to develop an OHA land acquisition and management policy
to guide the Trustees in purchasing land for programmatic
(preservation, housing, community based economic development) and
investment purposes
Continued
to monitor and assist with ceded lands cases and reviewed the 2004
Land Konohiki Report
Helped
lead the O‘ahu Conservation Partnership, focused on protecting
open space lands on O‘ahu
Grant
Making
Conducted
11 workshops statewide on the grant application process, reaching 360
Native Hawaiians
Awarded
$3.4million in grants to support 85 projects in providing services
and programs to the Hawaiian community
Awarded
grants totaling $2.5 million included in subject areas above, plus
grant totaling $150,000 to the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs to
support each of its 48 clubs to help further their mission to promote
Native Hawaiian participation in cultural and civic issues
Research
Activities
with the State Legislature
Reviewed
4,500 legislative proposals
Submitted
testimony on 275 measures
Compiled
and monitored OHA legislative package consisting of 22 bills
relating to ceded lands revenue, land and water boards, OHA
autonomy, education, and the environment
Sponsored
two legislative briefings for new legislators and staff of
legislators
Conducted
and published State Candidate survey
Published
Legislative Scorecard on status of Hawaiian-related bills
Participated
in Legislative Briefings held around the state on Arakaki v.
Lingle and Doe v. Kamehameha Schools
Activities
on City Council Legislation
Activities
on Congressional Legislation
Testified
in support of the Akaka Bill, S. 147
Participated
in House briefing on the constitutionality of the Akaka Bill, H.R.
309
Communication
Published
monthly newspaper Ka Wai Ola
Maintained
two websites: www.oha.org
and www.nativehawaiians.com
Produced
24 roundtable discussion programs for Ho‘oulu Lāhui
Aloha on ‘Ōlelo, Channel 53, Thursdays, 7:00 pm;
program received award for Best Native Hawaiian Show at ‘Ōlelo’s
5th Annual Awards Banquet
Produced
and aired several radio ads, PSAs, and television commercials
promoting Kau Inoa and other Hawaiian issues
Produced
and aired The Hawaiian Connection: A Pilina Hawai‘i
Special, a 30-minute magazine-style television show focusing on
Hawaiians living on the continent
Installed
video conferencing system to promote communication with satellite
OHA offices and other Hawaiian organizations
Published
semi-monthly e-newsletter Ho’okahua
State
of OHA and the Native Hawaiian Community
And Summary
Sheets, December 7, 2005
