Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 10, 1 ʻOkakopa 2011 — OHA, DHHL set the stage for potential collaborations [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA, DHHL set the stage for potential collaborations

b>y Haroia Neaa n a quest to expand its role in creating housing opportunities for Hawaiians, members of the Board of Trustees for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs traveled 22 miles from Honolulu to Kapolei for a joint meeting with the nine-member Hawaiian Homes Commission. The three-hour meeting on Sept. 20 at the state Department of Home Lands in Kapolei prompted mueh discussion about the two boards working together to spread housing opportunities

to Native Hawaiian renters. In the past, joint projects have largely focused on Native Hawaiian home-owners. Examples include the homeownership opportunities created for 279 Hawaiian families in Kānehili subdivision in Kapolei and 19 others in the new Kaupuni community in Wai'anae. In addition, OHA contributed $500,000 to a joint effort with DHHL to renovate Kalaniana 'ole Hall in Moloka'i; $667,000 SEE 0HA-DHHL ON PAGE 11

At a joint meeting between OHA and DHHL, the two boards discussed ways they ean work together to create housing opportunities for Hawaiians. Here, OHA Chairperson Colette Machado addresses the crowd as Hawaiian Homes Commission Chairman Alapaki Nahale-a, wearing yellow, looks on. - Photo: Garett Kamemoto

OHA-PHHL

Continued from page 5 to a joint venture to rebuild Kawānanakoa Gym on the Big Island; and $3 million to build the 85-unit Waimānalo Kūpuna Housing. OHA has also committed to making $3 million annually available to DHHL to help 20,950 Native Hawaiian applicants access affordable housing throughout the state. The commitment is for 30 years. These examples were highlighted during a joint presentation by OHA Chief Executive Officer Clyde Nāmu 'o, DHHL Deputy Director Miehelle Kauhane and DHHL Chief of Staff M. Wai'ale'ale Sarsona. The presentation on joint efforts of OH A and DHHL had set the stage for a spirited discussion about potential opportunities for new partnerships. With state Rep. Faye Hanohano in the audience, officials from both organizations envisioned a future where prosperity is

fueled by working cooperatively to address the housing needs of Native Hawaiians. OHA Trustee Peter Apo drew applause for floating the idea of OHA and DHHL building a foundation for an eeonomie consortium made up of the flve Ali'i Trusts as a way to help foster eeonomie growth within the Native Hawaiian community. "The only thing that ean stop us is ourselves," Apo said. Echoing the sentiment, OHA Trustee Boyd Mossman, who is stepping down from his post Nov. 1, said his only regret is that the two boards did not envision the opportunity sooner. "But it's a great way to close my career," Mossman said. OHA Trustee Rowena Akana, a 21-year board member, said OHA and DHHL have talked about working in tandem for years, calling the renewed focus on a partnership an encouraging sign. "We need to be more creative about putting more people in homes," Akana said. "DHHL has the land and OHA has the money. We ean do it." ■