Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 3, Number 8, 1 August 1986 — Board Adopts Maori Trade lnitiative Concept [ARTICLE]

Board Adopts Maori Trade lnitiative Concept

The Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs unanimously adopted "in concept" a precedent setting "Memorandum of Understanding" between OHA and the Department of Maori Affairs (DMA) at its July 25 meeting on Kauai. The draft memorandum evolved from a July 2 meeting between representatives of OHA and DMA, as well as Hawaiian and Maori businessmen. (See New Zealand Expo story on Page 1.) The memorandum proposes the creation of a six V

member eouneil made up of three representatives from OHA and three from DMA. The eouneil is to be broadly based, servicing both Hawaiians and Maoris and will promote eeonomie development while, at the same time, utilizing cultural values that are integral to both peoples. The eouneil is to act as a clearinghouse for information on trade, production and eeonomie development and be responsible for the coordination of action affecting toth government and private sectors.

Hawaiian businessman Kenneth F. Brown, testifying at the Kauai meeting, called the initiative "The ultimate joining of East and West." He said "This brings Polynesia into the mainstream of what is happening in the Paeific." Brown said there will be major "spin-off advantages" to Hawaiians in the financial and export/import fields, as well as in back-up and other related services. The proposed "Memorandum of Understanding" now goes to the DMA for review. /