Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 12, Number 1, 1 January 1995 — GOP victories could hit Hawaiians hard [ARTICLE]

GOP victories could hit Hawaiians hard

bv Patrick Johnston The overwhelming victoiy of Republican candidates over their Democratic counterparts in the November elections could mean bad news for Hawaiians who have benefited lfom a congressional climate more receptive to supporting minority/native entitlements. The list of reforms the Republican congress has presented is long and cuts deep into many of the programs designed not only to benefit native Hawaiians but all disadvantaged groups and individuals across the country. Heading ihe list is the welfare system. Republican leaders believe it has cost the government far too mueh money and has created a welfare class hooked on government assistance, a situation that has \\orsened rather than improved conditions for the poor. One proposal would set a lifetime welfare limit of five years with a consecutive two-year limit. Another would stop support for unwed teen mothers altogether. Some Republicans suggest having the federal govemment end welfare payments completely and let states control and pay for the system. If Hawai'i had to start paying for welfare programs. this would divert money from other programs the state supports, including QUEST, Hawai'i's health care program. Other proposals for welfare reform include reducing by $75 the amount received monthly by unmarried adult mothers if they fail to get a high school diploma; no increase in subsidies for eaeh new child; and more funding to build group homes and orphanages. GOP reforms could also affect funding for organizations that beneflt both Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians. These organizations include: Alu Like - the federal government has passed legislation that supports, through the Departments of Labor and Education, a number of Alu Like programs that provide

business training and entrepreneurship programs largely utilized by native Hawaiians. Administration for Native Americans (ANA) - Congress provides the funding for the ANA whieh in tum supports the Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund, a program administered and partially funded by OHA, Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - supports a number of low-ineome housing programs across the state. These include the Section 8 subsidized rental program; development of low-rent elderly housing; "preservation loans" for non-profits who want to keep housing projects like Kukui Gardens affordable; and funding for non-profit groups like Habitat for Humanity, whieh recently helped build 1 1 homes on homestead land in Anahola last September. Funding also comes from legislation designed specifically to assist native Hawaiians. This legislation includes: Native Hawaiian Health Care Act - provides funding for Papa Ola Lōkahi and the native Hawaiian health eenters across the state. These centers provide outreach. heakh education, and disease prevention programs for native Hawaiians and in some cases provide transportation services for individuals living in remote areas. Native Hawaiian Education Act - supports a variety of educational and scholarship programs for native Hawaiians throughout the state. These include programs for gifted children, Hawaiian language study, and centerbased education centers like Pūnana Leo and the early education program at Kamehameha Schools.