Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 6, 1 June 1989 — "Most Important Since Statehood" [ARTICLE]

"Most Important Since Statehood"

Homestead Hearings To Take Plaee August 7-11

By Ann L. Moore Assistant Editor "The most important hearings since statehood," is how Senator Daniel Inouye describes the hearings to be held August 7 through 11 on five Hawaiian Islands by the Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs. The hearings were originally scheduled in May, then postponed to July, and now to August. Senate staffers met May 25 with OHA trustees and staff to brief them on the hearings. Senior staff counsels Peter Taylor and Virginia Boylan noted the August hearings will be the first Congressional oversight hearings held in 30 years on the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920. "This hearing record will be the basis for all future decisions and legislation. So this must be the fullest possible record," Boylan said. Taylor added, "There is not any subject of eoncern that cannot be brought before the committee." Both counsels emphasized that Senator lnouye feels Hawai'i needs "a federal presence to hear from the people who live here." OHA trustees and staff will assist the Senate Select Committee staff with information and recommendations concerning expert testimony and issues whieh should be addressed. Hearings will be held in two, four-hour sessions on five islands. The early session will be for expert testimony, the later session for testimony from members of the public. All sessions are open to the public. Any person who wants to give testimony to the committee on any subject of eoneem should eontact the loeal president of the Homestead Association.

Boylan said Homestead Association presidents have agreed to act as coordinators for the hearings. "Raise any issue." Boylan advised OHA trustees and staff. OHA was told that the House Interior Committee will be asked to co-host the hearings. Boylan said the following federal agencies will be represented at the hearings: Housing and Urban Development (HUD,) Health and Human Services, the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture. A complete schedule of times, dates and places will be published in the July issue of Ka Wai Ola O OHA.

Written testimony will be accepted by the eommittee for inclusion in the permanent record of the hearings, Boylan said. Those who testify may also send written testimony. Letters should be sent to the committee to arrive no later than September 15 at the following address: Senator Daniel Inouye, Chairman Senate Select Committee on Indian Affairs 838 Senator Hart Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Letters should be signed, dated and include an address. Ann L. Moore is the new assistant editor of Ka Wai Ola O OHA. A short biography will appear in our next issue.