Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 26, Number 7, 1 Iulai 2009 — OHA budget signed into law [ARTICLE]

OHA budget signed into law

On June 22, Gov. Linda Lingle signed into law Act 140, appropriating $2.5 million eaeh year in state general funds for the operation of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for the next two fiscal years. The $2.5 million reflects a 20 percent cut to the $3 million in general funds OHA has received in past years. The budget had been debated between the House and Senate until the final days of the legislative session, with the House favoring the 20 percent cut and the Senate proposing to eliminate the entire $3 million. Three organizations that receive funding from OHA's budget were concerned that the Senate's proposed cuts would diminish their ability to provide educational, legal and social services to Native Hawaiians. In the end, lawmakers passed the House version with the understanding that about $1 million, or about half, of the settlement of the Hōkūli'a lawsuit would be returned to the state.

On lune 5, OHA Trustees approved operating budgets of $39.6 million in fiscal year 2010 and $39.5 million in fiscal year 201 1 . The budgets reflect the reduction in state general-fund contributions and the condition of OHA's investment portfolio. OHA's operating budget is funded mainly by trust fund proceeds, state general funds and payments from the state for use of ceded lands.