Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 15, Number 11, 1 Nowemapa 1998 — Vice-chairperson's message [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Vice-chairperson's message

Waimanalo Kupuna Rental Housing Project: Harnessing trustee teamwork for our elders

ALOHA NUI kākou, e nā 'ōiwi o Hawai'i . This is the 21st in a series of 48 articles. On Sept. 29, 350 days after the Oct. 14, 1997 BOT reorganization, OHA trustees approved $3 million toward construction of the DHHLWaimānalo Kūpuna Rental Housing Project. In the same action, we approved the OHA-DHHL memorandum of agreement (MOA) identifying roles and responsibilities and directing disbursement of these fiinds. OHA views this project with DHHL as a pilot and demonstration. Unfortunately, it has been pending with the OHA BOT since 1993, more than 1,825 days. On Sept. 29, a majority of trustees, by their votes, determined that five years was enough talk; it was time to act. Trustees Akana, Apoliona, Brandt, Campos, Machado, and DeSoto voted yes. Trustees Hee and Keale voted no. Trustee Springer abstained. While OHA's contribution to this kūpuna project is significant, the fact is DHHL must raise two to three times that amount to begin construction. Additionally, OHA's participation is contingent on DHHL's starting eonstruction within 1 8 months. In accordance with the OHA-DHHL MOA, the $3 million will not be disbursed in one lump sum, but in increments governed by the strict conditions outlined in the MOA. Grant monies will not be disbursed until DHHL has 1) secured the necessary additional funds to complete construction of the 66 units and to

rent them at the maximum tenant contribution; and 2) obtained government permits and approvals; and 3) demonstrated a general

contractor is procured for the project; and 4) submitted a construction time line, financial breakdown and copy of the general contractor's eontract. Pursuant to MOA provisions, when OHA does disburse monies, it will be done only after receipt of vouchers ffom DHHL. Under these controlled disbursement provisions, OHA retains the $3 million in the OHA investment portfolio to earn interest until the moment of disbursement.

The OHA-DHHL MOA, and release of OHA funds, requires that DHHL construct the 66 units to meet rentals costs to low and very low ineome kūpuna. This kūpuna rental housing development will be part of the DHHL seven-acre parcel that is opposite the Waimānalo Beach Park. The Honolulu Advertiser reported Oct. 1, "The kūpuna housing project would offer relatively low-rental apartment homes to elderly Hawai-

ians, including those who are homeless or who are doubled up with family members." That Advertiser editorial was captioned, "Waimānalo project good example of leveraging." The text went on to

say, "It's a strong model for what ean be aeeomplished when the vast resources of various Hawaiian organizations are hamessed toward a eommongoal." Theeditorial concluded, "The Waimānalo project should be a model for many such efforts in other neighborhoods around the state." On Oct. 4, the Advertiser reported that the "town's sewage treatment plant will have to be addressed before the work ean proceed." Of the 66 units DHHL has

promised, the city will allow 50 to be hooked up to the plant. DHHL C!hair Kah Watson, is working with the governor, the Department of Heahh and other agencies on these issues and the the balance of funding for the project's development. Public announcements completed in October identified substantial progress in these areas and DHHL Chair Watson is confident of the project's construction within the MOA's time line.

The successful construction and implementation of the Waimānalo Kūpuna Rental Housing Project has several more phases to go and in the end will be testimony to partnership and collaboration. There are many working hands to thank for bringing this phase to eomplehon: DHHL staffer Ray Soon; OHA staffers Steve Morse, Martha Ross, Kekailoa Perry; Greg Field of Waimānalo Community Development Corporation; LaFrance Kapaka-Arboleda, executive director of the Hawai'i Habitat for Humanify Association, board president Annie Burkle and Hawai'i Habitat for Humanity Association Board members; the DHHL eommissioners; the OHA Board of Trustees; and the community of Waimānalo. On a final note, make it your mission to vote Nov. 3. Don't forget you have five votes for OHA trustees; three at-large, one for Maui, one for O'ahu. Eaeh beneficiary votes for all five seats, no matter what island you reside on. Make your choices wisely. Of highest priority, make your five votes count toward electing trustees who demonstrate collaborative team leadership, in a spirit of positive values, and integrity; who bring to OHA needed special skills in finance and investments, planning, administration, Hawaiian entitlements; and who share the eollective vision to build strong Hawaiian families and Hawaiian self-govemance. ■

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