Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 14, Number 4, 1 April 1997 — Page A7 Advertisements Column 1 [ADVERTISEMENT]

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[111111111111 E_ ^ īheOHA LegisMve Report Should ceded lands revenue to OHA continue at reduced, current, or increased levels? (14% of respondents said thev nad no opinion or didn't know^ Office of hawaiian affairs

Two Out Of Three Hawai'i Residents Favor Current Or Increased Funding For OHA. As has been reported in earlier Legislative Updates, recent actions at the State Legislature would sharply reduce payments to Hawaiians for the use of ceded lands. House Bill 2207 (House Draft 2), whieh narrowly passed the House and is now before the State Senate for consideration, would fundamentally rewrite existing law, lay aside existing agreements with Hawaiians, and result in the reduction of ceded lands payments to OHA by 80%. But a statewide poll reveals overwhelming public opinion that Hawaiians should eonhnue to receive payments for the use of ceded lands at current, or even increased levels. Two out of three people surveyed - 67.4% - say they support OHA's current share of ceded land revenues, or favor an increase in the amount transferred to OHA. Fewer than one in five - 18.5% - think that funding should be reduced.

QUESTION: When Hawai'i heeame a state in 1959, the U.S. government required that over 1 million acres that were onee a part ofthe Nation o/Hawai'i be put in a trustfor native Hawaiians and the general puhlie. OHA receives 20% ofthe revenue that is generated from these lands, whieh is now equivalent to about $15 million a year. Some people say that the amount ofrevenue to OHA should be reduced. Others say that the state should keep its agreement and pay OHA what is owed, even though this money could be used elsewhere. And still others say the amount due to OHA should be increased. What do you think: should the amount be reduced, kept at 20%, or increased? REDUCED KEEP AT 20% INCREASED DONT KNOW/ TOTAL NO OPINION 18.5% 1 54.7°/o I 12.7% I 14.1% 1 100% The OHA Legislative Report is presented twice weekly as a public service by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.