Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 17, Number 7, 1 July 2000 — Board suggests changes to Akaka bill [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Board suggests changes to Akaka bill

By Paula Durbin THE BOARD of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs approved a draft bill June 1 that incorporates OHA's suggestions for changes to the bill proposed by Senator Daniel Akaka for introduction in July before the United States Congress. The proposed bill

would give Hawaiians special status and set up an Office of Native Hawaiian Affairs in the United States Department of the Interior. OHA's changes, whieh former Governor John Waihe'e discussed with the board at an informational workshop on May 24, include the following for consideration by Sen. Akaka: • Language expressing the political relationship between the United States and Native Hawaiians as "equivalent to the legal and political status held by other Native Americans and Native Alaskans":

• Specific mention of the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act of 1988, the Apology Resolution and the Native Hawaiian Education Act among examples of congressional legislation for the betterment of Native Hawaiians under the United States Constitution; • Provisions for the Office of Native Hawaiian Affairs to be responsible to the deputy secretary of the Interior; to be headed by an appointed executive director, preferably Native Hawaiian; to consult with Native Hawaiians; to be responsible for implementing a process of reconciliation

in accordance with the Apology Resolution; and to assist Native Hawaiians in facilitating a process for self-determination; • The elimination of a provision for an Office of Native Hawaiian Justice at the Department of Justice; • The attorney general's designation "of an appropriate official within the Department of Justice to assist the Office of Native Hawaiian

Affairs in implementing, enforcing and protecting the rights of Native Hawaiians and their trust relationship with the United States"; • A preference for Native Hawaiians as representatives on the Native Hawaiian Interagency Council appointed by the president of the United States from the Executive Office, the Office of Native Hawaiian Affairs and each federal agency that establishes or implements policies affecting Native Hawaiians. June 16

The board approved, for administrative signature, OHA's participation in a Memorandum of Agreement for the Puainako St. extension and widening project in Hilo. The trustees passed on second reading a recommendation to adopt a standard procurement process for purchases of goods and services and a standard checklist for documenting the procurement. Also passed on second reading was a policy by whieh OHA's bylaws are systematicalSee BILL on page 5

BOARD BUSINESS

Senator ūaniel Kahikina Akaka

BILL From page 1

ly reviewed, updated and published. As well on second reading, the trustees authorized the administrator to prepare three policy documents: a presentation of trust law, a parliamentary procedure primer and an employee information and orientation handbook. On first reading, the trastees authorized the administrator to procure the services of an independent facilitator to enhanee and expedite the review and update of OHA's Master Plan. ■