Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 2, 1 Pepeluali 2010 — OHA submits modified bill to resolve past-due revenue claims [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA submits modified bill to resolve past-due revenue claims

ByT. Ilihia Gionson Publications Editor The Office of Hawaiian Affairs will submit a bill for introduction this legislative session that will again seek payment of $200 million in past-due Puhlie Land Trust revenues. OHA is the agency constitutionally mandated to utilize 20 percent of revenues from the use of Puhlie Land Trust lands to better the conditions of Native Hawaiians. The $200 million has accumulated from 1978 to the present. While some Puhlie Land Trust revenues are disputed, if enacted, the bill would establish the debt at $200 million and provide for annual payments of at least $30 million beginning July 1, 2015, until the debt is paid. The bill would also require the state to pay interest to OHA beginning July 1, 2010. The delay in payment of the debt is OHA's recognition of the state's Ananeial crunch. However, the OHA Board of Trustees believes that the state's economy will be on its way to recovery within three to five years and the state will be well able to begin retiring the debt. OHA also notes that by 2015 the state's obligation to pay $30 million annually into the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust Fund under Act 14 will end. "We recognize these aren't the best of times for the state budget, but if OHA and the state ean strike an agreement that would allow the state to make good on its obligation when the economy improves, we believe this would work toward the benefit of Native Hawaiians and all of Hawai'i," said OHA Chief Executive Officer Clyde Nāmu'o, speaking on behalf of the board. ■

State capitol. - Photo: KWOArchives