Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 1, 1 January 1987 — A Year of Challenges [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A Year of Challenges

By Carol R.H. Ford Federal Grants Offi rer

As we enter the New Year, it is well that we do so with an optimistic frame of mind. The year ho!ds promise for continued successes and exciting new endeavors by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Projects for whieh groundwork has been layed over the past year should begin to bear fruit in the months to eome.

As Federal Grants Officer, I share the optimism, though in a somewhat cautious way. Certain funding trends as well as some attitudes expressed by the current administration point to a need to refine old strategies and develop new ones to deal with changing circumstances. Revised deficit numbers reflect a slowing trend in government spending. The spending bill for FY 1987, according to the Federal Assistance Monitor, contains the smallest increase in federal spending in 20 years, and represents a continued decrease in the government spending share of the gross national product. Further, under current eeonomie conditions, meeting next year's Gramm-Rudman deficit target of $108 billion could result in further cuts in many domestic assistance programs. Perhaps even more perplexing, than the prospect of further reductions in available funding dollars, is the attitude that exists toward native Hawaiian issues. On Oct. 27, 1986, President Reagan signed H.J. Resolution 17, "a joint resolution that gives the United States consent to a number of amendments tō the Hawaiian Homes . Commission Act that were adopted by the State 'of Hawaii between August 21, 1959, and June 30, 1985." In remarks made on this occasion the President stated that he felt "that the matters with whieh the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act is concerned should be left entirely to the State of Hawaii. The administration of the public lands in question ean be competently handled by the State government" This would abrogate the federal government from any responsibility for the protection of these lands. Further comments from the President regarding the notion of protected Hawaiian Homelands give cause to be troubled; "I also wish to express another eoneem. Because the act employs an express racial classification in providing that certain public lands may be leased only to persons having 'not less than onehalf of the blood of the races inhabiting the Hawaiian lslands previous to 1778,' the continued application of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, Haw. Rev. Stat. 201 et seq. (1976), raises serious equal protection questions. These difficulties are exacerbated by the amendment that reduces the native-blood requirement to one-quarter, thereby casting additional doubt on the original justification for the classification.

While I am signing this resolution because it substantially defers to the State's judgement, 1 urge that the Congress amend section 4 of the Act to provide for the admission of Hawaii into the Union so that in the future the State of Hawaii may amend the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act without the consent of the United States and give further consideration tothejustification for the troubling racial classification." Though the President's remarks do not represent policy or legislative initiative, they do serve to remind us that a watchful eye must be kept on relevant issues by those who are concerned with the perpetuation and protection of native Hawaiians. The overall budgetary picture also does not point to cuts in specific programs, but rather serves to alert us to reductions in the funding process. By being aware of this, we ean begin to plan our strategy for successful competition for those federal monies whieh will still be available. These signs of change need not be interpreted as a forecast of gloom. Rather, they should serve to help us begin on an exciting new path; one whieh will see increased cooperation among various groups whieh seek to serve the Hawaiian people. Already the Office of Hawaiian Affairs has embarked upon collaborative efforts with other organizations offering them assistanee and leadership.