Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 2, Number 1, 1 Ianuali 1982 — Government and Community Affairs Proposes Changing Process of DHHL Appointments [ARTICLE]

Government and Community Affairs Proposes Changing Process of DHHL Appointments

One pieee of OHA's legislative package that will likely face stiff opposition and stir up considerable debate this session is the proposed legislation whieh would amend Section 202 of the HHC Act, 1920, and Section 26-34 of the HRS by establishing OHA as the only agency whieh could submit nominations to the Governor for appointment to the Hawaiian Homes Commission (HHC). Since the creation of the HCC in 1920, nominations and appointments to the Commission have been made by the Governor, a process that has been criticized by native Hawaiians for years because of its political nature and because native Hawaiians have felt excluded from the political process. The basic intent of OHA's proposed

legislation is to statutorily establish native Hawaiian participation in the nominating/ appointing process. In addition, OHA is requesting a $35,000 appropriation to create a federal liaison position. As proposed, the liaison would assist and advise federal officials on matters related to Native Amenean programs whieh include funding for a variety of activities including eeonomie development, reparations, and other concerns having an impact on the Hawaiian community as a whole. OHA will also be proposing that OHA volunteers be provided with the same liability immunity now provided to volunteers working with other State agencies.