Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 13, Number 6, 1 June 1996 — Clarification of OHA's Donation Program [ARTICLE]

Clarification of OHA's Donation Program

OHA's Donation Program was created in 1993 to provide one-time financial assistance to native Hawaiians in need. This year, the program provided $15,000 every month to native Hawaiians for expenses such as medieal expenses and basic living needs. Since the beginning of the Donations Program, the number of applicants has grown by 300 percent. However, due to limited resources and increased demand, program priorities have been established to address the needs of families with children and kūpuna. "About 99 percent of donation awards go toward medical expenses," said Jamie Wong, acting planning and research officer. "One family had a child who was struck with cancer. Through treatments the child grew healthy again only to have the mother stricken with leukemia. They got help through the Donations Program." Health, safety and shelter are the priorities of the donations program.

They have helped families who have undergone tremendous financial strain due to medical bills and health issues. Families that have been living on the bare minimum have received household goods to strengthen and stabilize their lives. Every month a review panel meets to thoroughly review applications, including whether the request might qualify for funding assistance and referral outside of OHA. If qualifications for funding outside OHA are shown to exist, the Donations Program ean help with more information and applications. The maximum donation award is $1000. Not all applicants are awarded the maximum, only what is really needed. There is no guarantee of award or award amount. Donations ean take anywhere from to eight to twelve weeks to be received. Emergency funds are also available for extreme cases. Interested parties may apply by writing a letter to Chairman Clayton

Hee expressing their current financial situation, the amount being requested, and how they will be able to meet financial obligations beyond OHA's Donation Program. Attach your mailing address and your phone number along with: • a copy of your birth certificate, to show you are at least 50 percent Hawaiian. Parents and grandparents certificates or documentation of a DHHL award are all acceptable for verification. • copies of ineome statements (like welfare, pension, etc.) help establish other areas where funding ean be obtained. • copies of current bills to be paid (dated within 30 days of application) • a copy of the rental agreement if requesting a security deposit. Mail all letters of applieahon with the requested attachments to Mr. Clayton Hee, Chairman, Donations Program Office of Hawaiian Affairs 711 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 500, Honolulu HI 96813.