Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 9, Number 9, 1 September 1992 — OHA Board Business [ARTICLE]

OHA Board Business

by Deborah L. Ward Editor

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs monthly Board of Trustees meeting took plaee July 29 at the Kaua'i Resort Hotel, Ni'ihau Room, with Chairman Clayton H.W. Hee presiding.

Trustees present included: Vice Chairman Abraham Aiona, Moanikeala Akaka, Rowena Akana, A. Frenchy DeSoto, Louis Hao, Kamaki Kanahele and Thomas Kaulukukui, Sr. Trustee Moses Keale, Sr. was excused due to illness. The minutes of the June 30 board meeting in Wailuku, Maui, were adopted as amended. Trustee Rowena Akana requested that the minutes reflect in greater detail comments presented during the community eoncerns portion of the meeting. The chairman's and administrator's correspondence reports were accepted as presented.

Community Concerns Eight members of the community were present. Sandra Field Grace of Anahola asked for information on several matters concerning OHA. Chairman Hee responded as follows to eaeh question: Q What is the status of the Attorney General's investigation of allegations concerning former board chairman Moses Keale, Sr.?

A The Attorney General has not closed the investigation, and no findings have yet been announced. The matter is still under consideration. (Editor's note: In May 1991 OHA Trustee Moses Keale, Sr. stepped down as board chairman pending an Attorney General's investigation of allegations made against him. Keale's signature was said to have been on a contract for development rights to OHA land holdings. He has maintained the signature is a forgery. See his eolumn, this issue.) Q What percentage of OHA trust funds is invested in Hawai'i? Outside the state? A OHA's investment portfolio of approximately $11 million is used to generate further revenue for OHA that is used to benefit Native Hawaiians,

for example, through OHA scholarships, and community programs. Investment of OHA funds is monitored by OHA's money managers, Bishop Trust, NWQ, Ashfield and Hawaiian Trust. Funds are invested in domestic and international issues. (Trustee Aiona noted there are five Hawai'i companies in the OHA portfolio at present.) Q Is OHA considering purchase and management of Kaua'i resorts, such as the Kaua'i Resort or Coco Palms, on crown lands, as part of its cash or land settlement for past due ceded land revenues? A Chairman Hee noted that there is a misconception that OHA has "buckets of money." While OHA has a eom-

mitment ffom the state for $112 million owed for its share of revenue from state leases involving 56 of 62 issues resolved, OHA has not yet been able to develop a timeline for payment. Meanwhile interest is accruing at 10 percent. Nevertheless, Hee said, this promissory note from the state represents a "tremendous" accomplishment, in view of the state and national recession, restricted spending and budget cuts. OHA was among the few agencies whieh were not targeted for further budget cuts in the start of the 1992-93 fiscal year. Hee said that the board of trustees is looking at creative ways to multiply the value of OHA's trust revenues. Hee said trustees are looking at lands to acquire to offset the back payment due OHA. "We may well look at the Kaua'i Resort." he said. Q What is the status of OHA's bills in Congress?

A In Sept. 1989 OHA held hearings statewide and on the mainland on a draft blueprint for federal entitlements, to seek input from all Hawaiians. In February 1992 Sen. Inouye said he planned to introduce bills on sovereignty. One of the bills OHA introduced calls for a constimtional convention of the Hawaiian people according to districts based on population of Native Hawaiians. Delegates would be selected by vote of Hawaiians. The delegates would develop a constitution for public review/revision and would be voted on in a referendum. The bill does not propose OHA be the sovereign entity, or even a gatekeeper of the eon-eon.

Would OHA support the Inouye version? Yes, if it is unchanged, but more likely he will fashion his own version. OHA cannot yet say what its position will be if the bills are modified. However,they are a point of departure. Inouye has not yet introduced the bills,nor fashioned an instrument. Hee did not think Inouye was likely to introduce the bills as a package because of their complexity, however,

he added "It's his eall." Other federal bills would create the right to sue the federal government and state for breaches of the Hawaiian Home Lands trust; and authorize the establishment of a Native Hawaiian government. Q Has OHA taken a position on the "Star Wars" launching site on crown lands?

A Hee answered 'No.' The matter is in the hands of the Land and Natural Resources division and the board expects a report soon. Valentine Ako said he is concerned over plans by a Kaua'i citizens group to introduce a bill in Congress to create a national park that would span western and northern Kaua'i from Kekaha to Napali, Haena and Hanalei valley. Foremost among the proponents is photographer Robert Wenkam. Ako said "If Hanalei comes under a national park, what will it mean to Hawaiians? Will we be excluded? ... We need kokua from OHA to stop a big land take-over. Don't let that happen...Heirs of private landowners will forfeit their inheritance."

«Proceding to the business portion of the meeting, an amendment to the OHA by-laws to reduce the number of board committees from nine to seven, was recommitted back to the Budget, Finance, Policy and Planning committee without action to adopt. (Chairman Hee said he was deferring the motion to adopt to allow Trustee Moses Keale the opportunity to be present for the vote at a future meeting.)

The board also voted to adopt an administrative policy to direct that trustee air travel shall be by eoaeh class, unless a trustee requires other accommodations for heahh or safety reasons. This action reinstates previous board policy on air travel, and follows the example recently set by the Hawai'i Legislature. However, Chairman Hee noted that individual trustees may choose to upgrade their navel class, at their own expense.

Committee Reports There were no action items presented for vote of the trustees. A discussion of the OHA Education Foundation was recommitted back to the Committee on Education and Culture, due to the absence of its chairman, Trustee Moses Keale, Sr. OHA Relations committee chairman Kamaki Kanahele noted that the Board of Trustees has forwarded to Governor Waihee its recommendations for appointees to the Queen Lili'uokalani Commemoration Commission.

In other business, Administrator Richard Paglinawan notified the board of the resignation in August of Deputy Administrator Stanley L. Lum. Chairman Hee expressed regret at Lum's retirement from OHA and said, "I will deeply miss him." Hee called Lum "patient, caring, an advocate for the Hawaiian people." Paglinawan also announced that effective Aug. 1 Jerry A. Walker, former deputy director for thc Department of Heahh, would assume his new duties as OHA Deputy Administrator. (see related article, this issue). Paglinawan also introduced to the board OHA's new culture division staff, culture officer Pikake Pelekai and culture specialist Charles Manu Boyd.