Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 4, 1 ʻApelila 1989 — Plus A Stronger OHA [ARTICLE]

Plus A Stronger OHA

Goals 3, 4: More Political Clout For Hawaiians

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs recently published its revised master plan in late 1988. It contains amended goals, objectives and policies, and priorities to guide the agency in its overall mission of bettering the conditions of the Hawaiian people. Ka Wai Ola O OHA is publishing major portions of the plan in several installments. In this fourth part, we will publish the third and fourth of OHA's four goals and their specific objectives and policies. "The OHA Master Plan," Part IV of a Series Goal 3: To achieve full participation of Hawaiians in politicaI processes. Governmental processes and decisions at all levels of government have daily impact on the lives of Hawaiians. Politics touch virtually every aspect of contemporary life. Because of such wide-reach-ing implications, Hawaiians need to become politically aware and participate in government. Although 55.7% of all eligible voters in the State are registered to vote, only 54.3% of eligible Hawaiians are registered. In terms of turnout, again Hawaiians are slightly behind the overaIl state performance in that 82% of all registered voters in the State turn out, but only 79. 1% of registered Hawaiians exercise their right to vote. Objective 3.1 To stimulate and assist Hawaiians to participate in government so that in 10 years, the Hawaiian people will have recognized influence at all levels of government. Policy 3.1.a Promote and increase direct participation of Hawaiians in the electoral process so that in five years, voter registration and turnout will equal or better that of the State as a whole. Policy 3.1.b Promote beneficiary access to and placement in elective and appointive government positions so that in five years, the percentage of Hawaiians in elective and appointive govemment positions at least equals the percentage of Hawaiians in the population. Policy 3.1.c Promote and increase direct participation of Hawaiians in the legislative process so that in five years, the number of Hawaiian special interest groups that participate in lobbying increases by 25%. Objective 3.2 To keep all levels of government informed of Hawaiian community needs and concerns so that in 10 years, OHA is the recognized representative of the Hawaiian people. Policy 3.2.a Within five years, establish formal and informal communication with the federal, state, and county governments for the purpose of advising, assisting, monitoring, and advocating matters related to Hawaiian concerns. Objective 3.3 To establish and implement a mechanism to empower Na Po'e Hawai'i to parti-

cipate in the social, cultural, eeonomie, and political systems within 10 years. Goal 4: To achieve a strong, viable Office of Hawaiian Affairs, characterized by responsive leadership and financial independence that enables the fulfillment of the needs and expectations of current and future generations of Hawaiians. The Office Hawaiian Affairs was established for the betterment of conditions of Hawaiians. OHA is the primary advocate for Hawaiians; a major eoordinator of programs and activities affecting Hawaiians; a facilitator when it comes to activities and efforts that will better the conditions of Hawaiians; a monitor that will assess the policies and practices of other agencies; a policy-maker to serve the needs of the Hawaiian community; a researcher to collect data on Hawaiians; a trustee of assets for Hawaiians; and a provider of services where gaps exist and where existing methods of services are inappropriate. In order for OHA to accomplish these tasks, it must work together with other agencies in collective and collaborative efforts, and it must build its financial capability in order to provide maximum flexibility for its decisionmakers and maximum benefits for the Hawaiian people. Objective 4.1 To address the issue of Hawaiian reparations so that within 10 years, the United States Congress acts affirmatively on reparations legislation. PoIicy 4.1.a OHA shall advocate for, formulate, and facilitate passage of reparations legislation by the United States Congress. OHA's position shall incorporate community recommendations and the needs of its beneficiaries as assessed by government and private sector agencies and organizations. The reparations legislation shall be designed to maximize benefits in land and sea and natural resources and appurtenances thereto, money, and programs to its beneficiaries; to encourage self-sufficiency and self-determination for beneficiaries; and to secure recognition of native status and rights (adopted by Board 6/27/87). Objective 4.2 To establish and maintain clearinghouse functions, including but not limited to those as defined in Chapter 10 so that in 10 years, OHA is recognized as the primary clearinghouse for Hawaiian matters. Policy 4.2.a OHA shall maintain an inventory of government and private programs and services for native Hawaiians and Hawaiians, whieh will be updated biennially, and act as a clearinghouse and referral agency (adopted by Board 6/27/87). Policy 4.2.b OHA shall avail itself of the State Clearinghouse program of the Department of Business and Eeonomie Development in order to monitor the activities of other agencies and provide information and referral services for its beneficiaries (adopted by Board 6/27/87). Policy 4.2.c Collect, analyze, maintain, and provide extant and new data on Hawaiians so that in five years,OHA is recognized as a major repository for Hawaiian data. Objective 4.3 To clarify, preserve, protect, and obtain full entitlement and benefits of all Hawaiians. Policy 4.3.a To pursue and protect full entitlement to the pro rata share of revenues and/or lands from the public land trust so that in five years, there is legislation negotiated to settle this issue. Policy 4.3.b To conduct advocacy efforts, whieh may include provision of advice and information, legislation, litigation, and negotiation, in protecting traditional rights so that in five years, OHA identifies all these rights and determines priorities in their protection. Policy 4.3.c To protect Hawaiians against loss of lands without compensation due to laek of notice or adverse possession so that in five years, OHA will have developed a systematic approach to notifying Hawaiians when their interest in property is in jeopardy, thereby mitigating and/or negating

frivolous claims of ownership by others. Objective 4.4 To maintain a positive image for OHA, thus reflecting a positive image of the Hawaiian community so that in 10 years, a majority of the populahon in Hawai'i perceives OHA in a positive light. Policy 4.4.a T o promote a beneficiary and general public understanding of the history, positions, policies, and achievements of OHA through use of various means of communications, so that in five years, 25% of the adult population in Hawai'i has a basic understanding of the above. Policy 4.4.b To increase OHA's visibility by providing beneficiaries with information that will assist them to participate fully in society so that in five years, 15% of OHA beneficiaries turn to OHA as a source of information. Policy 4.4.c To foster OHA cooperation with other agencies and participation in community activities, interagency organizations, and associations so that in five years, OHA is represented in all Hawaiian organizations. Objective 4.5 To support and cooperate with other native peoples in the United States and throughout the world to achieve respective goals so that in 10 years, reciprocal assistance is initiated on a number of native issues. Policy 4.5.a To deve!op and maintain formal liaisons with other native entities so that in five years, working relationships are established with at least seven native peoples. Objective 4.6 To receive OHA's full entitlements and generate its own revenues so that OHA will be fully self-sufficient. Policy 4.6.a To participate in for-profit joint venture so that in five years, we have at least two joint ventures underway. Policy 4.6.b To manage trust assets in a manner consistent with fiduciary responsibilities to maximize long-term benefits to the constituency, including ineome, land, and environmental and cultural resources so that in five years, all assets are invested or developed except for an amount that is needed for the next two fiscal quarters. Policy 4.6.c To apply for, receive, and disburse grants and donations from all sources to provide more funds to benefit all Hawaiians and to facilitate program development efforts so that in five years, grants fund at least 25% of the demonstration projects. Policy 4.6.d To design programs so that within five years, 25% are self-financing. Objective 4.7 To pursue a single definition of Native Hawaiian without reference to a blood quantum, and to provide appropriate protections to guarantee the rights and privileges of current Hawaiian Homes beneficiaries. Next: Prioritized Objectives