Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 10, 1 October 1988 — OHA Board Bnsiuess [ARTICLE]

OHA Board Bnsiuess

By Ed Miehelman Public Information Officer

The August meeting of the OHA Board of T rustees was held in the Honolulu Office Board Room August 30, 1988. All nine Trustees were present. The following items were discussed and acted on:

Executive Session During the first portion of the meeting, convened in executive session, the Board, following a vote by a majority of its members, "asked for and received the resignation of Trustee Moses K. Keale, Sr. as Chairperson of the Board."A statement issued by the Board said, "The decision was reached only after considerable soul searching.

However, following thorough discussion, it was decided that the Board had no alternative. "The action was necessitated by Mr. Keale's personal decision, without consultation with the Board, and in direct contravention of the OHA bylaws to seek a series of legal opinions." Vice-Chairperson Louis Hao of Molokai has assumed the Chair under the succession procedure stipulated in the by-laws. The following items were considered during the open portion of the meeting. Trustee Keale was not present.

By-Law Amendment An amendment to OHA's by-laws was adopted unanimously on the first of two required readings. It reads as follows: "E. Vacate to Run. Any officer of the Board shall vacate from the officer's position as officer on the date on whieh the officer files the officer's nominahon papers for reelection with the Lieutenant Governor's office." This amendment was proposed in order to eliminate the possibility that an incumbent officer (Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson) might use that office in a manner whieh would provide the officer with an unfair advantage over another candidate for Trustee.

Kamaka Family Resolution The Board unanimously adopted a resolution in support of the Kamaka family's efforts to prevent the federal government from acquiring approximately 187 acres of farm land owned by the family in Waikane Valley on Oahu. For several years, the property was used by the Government as a target for live ordnance by the armed forces. The resolution urges the U.S. government to stop all efforts to condemn the property and expresses support for Raymond Kamaka's efforts to clear the land of unexploded

shells in order to restore it "to a safe and productively useful state again." The resolution also calls on Hawaii's congressional delegation to help "preserve for the Kamakas and the people of Hawaii the precious and scarce resource of land, protect the archeological and historic sites whieh are on the property and assure the Native Hawaiian religious freedom and practice of the Kamaka Family associated with this property."

Kawainui Marsh The Board directed staff to develop a document stating OHA's concerns about proposed flood control measures in Kawainui Marsh. The Board feels an Environmental lmpact Statement should be prepared since dredging and other work will adversely affect the natural and cultural resources of the Marsh. Proposed H-3 Agreement Changes The Trustees, in response to reports that the remains of Kukuiokane Heiau have been discovered in the area of the proposed H-3 Freeway, have requested additional study of the site. The

request takes the form of an amendment to the existing Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Transportation to whieh OHA is a party. Printing OHA Referendum Ballots Sequoia Pacific Systems Corp. was designated as the firm whieh will print, mail and count OHA's ballots on the single beneficiary class. The total cost to conduct the referendum will be $64,430, based on 75,000 mail-outs. The Sequoia contract

was approved unanimously by the eight Trustees present. Burial Treatment Plan The Trustees unanimously approved Phase I of a burial treatment plan covering possible native Hawaiian burials at Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station. The agreement sets forth conditions for a culturally sensitive and dignified disinterment in the event such remains are unearthed by eonstruction projects.

Ad Hoe Committee Budget The eight Trustees present unanimously adopted a $72,044 operating budget for the Ad Hoe Committee on Ceded Lands for the fiscal period July 1, 1988 to June 30, 1989. The fundsare to be reallocated from the operating budget. Monies appropriated by the 1987 Legislature for program areas will be reduced by 10 percent and set aside for the above purpose. The Committee is planning an island-wide series of workshops on the current ceded Iand negotiations between OHA and the state administration.

Myers Advertising Contract A previously approved contract with Myers Advertising, ine. was amended to specify a specific split of special and general funding. The contract is for media campaigns on voter education and the single beneficiary referendum. (See related story on the OHA referendum, this issue). Pahua Heiau The Trustees agreed to accept title to the 50,000 sq. ft. site of Pahua Heiau in Hawaii Kai from

Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate. OHA will receive a one-time $6,000 payment from the Estate and the Outdoor Circle to pay for a four-year maintenance program.

Special Meeting A special meeting of the Board of Trustees was held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 7, 1988 in the Board Room of OHA's Honolulu office. Trustees Akaka, Burgess, Ching, DeSoto, Hao, Kahaialii, Kaulukukui and Keale were present. Trustee Mahoe was excused. Following an executive session with the Board's attorney, program area reports were presented by staff. The main item of unfinished business was final action on the proposed amendment to OHA's by-laws concerning vacating officer positions by Trustees who are candidates for reelection. (See "By-Law Amendment" item above.)

Atter considerable discussion, it was decided that, while the proposed amendment has considerable merit, the timing is inappropriate. Several Trustees pointed out that adoption of the amendment would require Chairperson Hao to vacate the Chair. That would mean three separate chairpersons within the space of a few weeks. It was the majority consensus to table the proposal and possibly reintroduce it following the November eleetions. Trustees Akaka, Ching, Kahaialii, Kaulukukui and Keale voted against adoption. Trustees Burgess and DeSoto voted in favor.