Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 16, Number 10, 1 October 1999 — OHA's 1999 -- 2000 Operating Budget [ARTICLE]

OHA's 1999 -- 2000 Operating Budget

The Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs has approved a base operating budget of $4,971,807, whieh includes salaries, operating costs and programs and projects for the current fiscal year beginning July 1 , 1999 and ending June 30, 2000. The trustees are still considering additional programs and projects for inclusion in the operating budget whieh, as approved June 24, appears in summary form helow. Beneficiaries are invited to mail or phone your comments on the operating budget to the

Office of the Administrator, 711 Kapi'olani Blvd., Ste. 500, Honolulu, HI 96813 (808-594-1890). Neighbor island beneficiaries may also route your concerns through you loeal Community Affairs Coordinator. To review a complete copy of the fiscal year 1999-2000 operating budget, please eall the Office of the Administrator or your CAC. Mahalo!

Administration Base Operating Budget $1,651,827 OfBce of the Administrator $62,696 A broad range of activities is directly under the supervision of OHA's Administrator who also guides the entire organization within the parameters set by the law and the Board of Trustees and in respon.se to the concerns of OHA's beneficiaries. The offices under the Administrator's direct supervision are funded as follows: Financial and Information Systems Operations $171.450 The Financial and lnformation Systems Operations team pro\ ides support to OHA through budgeting, accounting, investment tracking and monitoring, office services and mainlenanee of a management information system. It helps to achieve a strong, viable OHA, characterized by responsive leadership and financial independence that enables the fulfillment of the needs and expectations of current and fumre generations of Hawaiians. Public lnformation Olīiee $335,956 The Public Information Office's mission is to plan, coordinate and disseminate information about OHA's plans, activities and accomplishments within the organization, the Hawaiian community and to the general public. Through press releases, conferences, the website at www.OHA.org and Ka Wai Ola o OHA, its monthly publication. and advertising. the office also works to keep the Native Hawaiian community and the general public informed on other events and issues of interest to Hawaiians Human Resource Operations $1.058,022 OHA's human resources staff ensures that the office eonforms to accepted employment practices. Volunteer Program $23,703 The Volunteer Program's mission is to provide direct support services to OHA trustees and administration. They also serve as members of councils, committees, advisory boards and the Education Foundation. The rewards of volunteering are as varied as the volunteers' contributions. Retired and other senior citizens may choose volunteering as a way to give something back to their community by sharing their time and the talents they have developed over the years. College students ean satisfy intemship requirements or receive university credit. Hawaiian Rights Division Base Operating Budget $1,211,781 The mission of the Hawaiian Rights Division is to advance the rights and interests of Hawaiians through advocacy, puhhe policy development, dialogue, eommunity outreach and litigation. Among its objectives are fair treatment for all Hawaiians; protection of their Iands, environment and cultural heritage; progress toward self-determination; and solutions to the devastating problems that threaten the welfare and dignity of the indige-

nous people of these islands. The division works to prevent injustice and further the rule of law through monitoring and reviewing state and national legislation and recommending appropriate changes. The staff collaborates in grassroots initiatives, participates in community forums, promotes professional interaction with private sector organizations and represents OHA on boards and committees whose actions affect Native Hawaiians. The division also tracks litigation in whieh Hawaiians have a stake and supervises OHA's amicus curiae briefs. It promotes equal access to the justice system through a grant to the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation for quality assistance to Hawaiians who otherwise would be unable to afford legal counsel. Operations $215.112 Operations include salaries, supplies, rents and travel. State coordination $8,650 This budget supports the monitoring of state activities that affect Hawaiians. Federal coordination $10.162 This budget supports the monitoring of federal activities that affect Hawaiians. Loeal coordination $5,000 This budget supports the monitoring of loeal activities that affect Hawaiians as well as community consultations. Strategic Research and Planning $109.676 This item funds research supporting the division's strategic goals as set forth in its mission statement. Native Hawaiian Historic Preservation Council $86.579 The eouneil advises OHA's Board of Trustees on matters concerning historic preservation. Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation $776,602 OHA's grant supports the NHLC's representation of individual Hawaiians in actions involving land or cultural rights. Program Systems Group Base Operating Budget $2,108,199 The Program System Group's mission is to improve the resources, benefits and services available to Hawaiians through ongoing evaluation, identification of problems and selection of strategies that best reach toward solutions. This group oversees OHA's self-help housing initiative, tutorial assistance, college scholarships, grants program and conferences that īeaeh across the generations. It is, however, aware that programs throughout the community should be tapped for workable remedies that address the needs of Hawaiians. In this connection, the group seeks to eliminate barriers, faeilitate networking, offer a collegial forum for the exchange and development of ideas and otherwise work toward expanding the range of alternatives leading to better conditions. Operations $259.470 Operations include salaries, supplies, rents and travel.

Planning and Research $82,517 Planning and research supports OHA's continuing cycle of needs assessment, research, goal-setting, program development and implementation, resource identification and acquisition; and evaluation. The planning and research staff maintains and updates files of current demographic and other statistical data on the Hawaiian population and Hawaiian issues as well as on the state and eounties. Every two years, these are compiled in the Native Hawaiian Data Book, distributed to libraries, universities and government agencies. Grants $85,115 OHA's grants program funds projects by nonprofit organizations that further OHA's purposes and benefit Native Hawaiians. Community Based Eeonomie Development $171,200 The focus of this program efforts is prosperity in the eommunity through the creation of jobs reflecting the residents' values, ideals and vision for their future. OHA encourages activities through educational workshops, training institutes, funding mechanisms and technical assistance. Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund $100,844 Through the loan fund, borrowers unable to obtain loans from conventional lenders ean receive up to $70,000 Training and technical assistance help applicants and borrowers develop their entrepreneurial skills and improve business performance. Lower education: TutoriaI Project $200,000 TutoriaI conference $5,000 'Aha 'Ōpio $24,236 ■ OHA's lower education efforts help Hawaiian students maintain grade-level work and offer leadership opportunities. Higher Education* Scholarships $50,000 Through Kamehameha Schools, OHA offers individual scholarships of up to $1,000. *On Oct. 24, 1996. the board approved $61,128 annually for five years for the Hawaiian studies masters program at the University of Hawai'i at Hilo. Kupuna programs $92,500 OHA supports a kupuna education program through an annual convocation of elder and training to facilitate effective use in the classroom, community and 'ohana Self-help housing $263.055 Through its homesteader and Habitat for Humanity loan programs and by providing self-help organizations with project management funding and technical assistance, OHA continues to facilitate self-help housing projects. Community Assistance Wai'anaeDiet $80.000 Alu Like $440,000 Through a joint funding effort with the state provides for Alu Like's Multi-Service System Project, a one-eall source of information, referrals, technical assistance and follow-up services. The Wai'anae Diet, another joint effort, helps Hawaiians adopt healthy lifestyles. ■