Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 9, 1 September 1988 — Plan To Meet With DHHL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Plan To Meet With DHHL

Homestead Associations Elect New State Board

by Deborah Lee Ward, Acting Editor Ka Wai Ola O OHA Elected members of the boards of the 16 Hawaiian Homestead associations throughout the state met in Nanakuli last month, and in a historic step, elected from among themselves the first-ever state board of association officers to represent all of the homestead associations present. The threeday gathering was convened by the host Nanakuli Hawaiian Homestead Community Association, ine., whieh raised its own funds and donations to pay for the event.

Elected officers of the state board are: Chairman— Kamaki A. Kanahele, III (Kanahele is Fresident of the Nanakuli Homestead Community Association, ine., O'ahu and OHA Administrator); Vice Chair — Judy Stewart (President, Kekaha Hawaiian Homesteaders Assn., Kaua'i), Treasurer — May Lili'uokalani Ross (Secretary, Waimea Hawaiian Homesteaders Assn., Hawai'i), Recording Secretary — Germaine Keliikoa (Director, Waianae Valley Hawaiian Homestead Community Assn.), Corresponding Secretary — James "Kimo" Kelii (Director, Nanakuli Hawaiian Homestead Community Assn.), Sergeant-at-Arms/Parliamen-

tarian — Benjamm Kaleiopu (Secretary, Paukukalu Hawaiian Homestead Community Association, Maui), Historian — Eleanor Ahuna (Director, Keaukaha-Panaewa Hawaiian Homestead Community Association). Named as Directors were: Bobby Aleain (First Vice-President, Moloka'i Homestead Assn.) and Ethel Andrade (Past President, Waimea Hawaiian Homesteaders Assn). While previous attempts have been made to create a statewide organization, Kanahele said this is the first time such a group has been elected through the initiative of the homestead associations themselves. The officers were elected from the delegates present, who formed a new "State Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations." In addition to the elections, other sessions covered homestead concerns, and discussion of

the proposed referendum on a "single beneficiary" class definition that would open OHA trust ben--efits to all Hawaiians. Keynote speakers to the assembled delegates were U.S. Congressman Daniel K. Akaka, and 'Ilima Piianaia, Chair of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Akaka said that mueh progress has been aecomplished in recent years on improving benefits of the Hawaiian Homes Act through persistent efforts by Hawaii's Congressional delegation. A lessee ean now pass on his or her lease to a spouse or heir with 25 percent Hawaiian blood. Before the new law, the inheritor had to have 50 percent blood quantum. Another bill just signed into law, he said, will assist homesteaders to get a guaranteed mortgage.

Further, he noted, Congress passed a bill providing DHHL with $1.25 million in federal funds to speed up development of homestead lands, a perennial point of frustration for homesteaders, some of whom have waited decades for their own land. He urged the gathered officers to pursue greater

knowledge of resources available to them in funding and services, to develop the organizational skills for effective political clout, to be flexible in approaching and resolving problems, to take a positive attitude to identify needs and work to improve the situation.

Ilima Piianaia told the homestead delegates that DHHL has embarked upon a program of "aeceleration" to develop roads and other "infrastructure" that will allow more lots to be awarded. She said that DHHL has received $9.5 million from the Legislature for this purpose and will have $14. 1 million next fiscal year. Acknowledging that the department has 18,000 applications on file now, she stressed that the department is working to get out the awards. She invited association presidents to meet with her in her office, and to bring her their concerns.

In small group sessions on the "blood quantum" issue, delegates heard a presentation on OHA's proposal for a referendum of OHA voters. The referendum question is "Should every Native Hawaiian have the right to enjoy the benefits of the assets of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, as provided by politics adopted by the OHA Board of Trustees?" The referendum would not have the force of law, but would reflect the will of the Hawaiian people on whether all Hawaiians, regardless

of blood quantum, should be served by the OHA trust. It would be up to OHA then to seek legislation to make that statutory change possible. Delegates were asked to take what they had learned on this question back to their homestead associations and survey their membership. The results will go to the newly elected state board members to be tallied and all member associations will be notified. The vote by homestead association members will let state board officers know how the membership stands.

One of the first tasks of the new homestead state executive board will be to tackle the priority list of concerns developed by all the delegates. Among the top five needs seen are: 1. Funding support from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for infrastructure development, road maintenance, for loans, mortgages, and home improvement, and disaster relief for farming homesteaders. 2. Education for homesteaders on the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and their rights as homesteaders.

see Homestead, page 2

Homestead association delegates list their concerns on homestead issues.

OHA "blood quantum" question is discussed by homesteaders.

Homestead, continued from page 1

3. Greater involvement and decision-making power on community land use policies and development. 4. Commitment by the Hawaiian Homes Commission to their obligation of serving Hawaiian Beneficiaries first. 5. Review of successor and third party leases, and controlled leases (refers to right of homesteader to guarantee who inherits the land).

■ Another eoneem raised was the need for a review of DHHL and state plans for what happens after existing 99-year leases expire. ■ The executive board is planning to meet with DHHL Director and Chair Ilima Piianaia, who offered financial assistance to assist with coordinating the board's activities on a state level.

txecutive board chairman Kanahele said its goal is to build the State Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations into a strong advocacy group and support factor for DHHL, and to act on the five priorities listed above, and other homestead concerns.