Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 29, Number 2, 1 Pepeluali 2012 — OHA leaders discuss proposed land deal with Molokaʻi residents [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA leaders discuss proposed land deal with Molokaʻi residents

A second round of statewide meetings is planned for early 2012

By Cheryl Corbiell

The deep sound of a eoneh shell echoed off the steep hālau ceiling and a gusty trade wind swept through Moloka'i's Kūlana 'Ōiwi courtyard complex on Dec. 17 as 35 Moloka'i residents gathered to leam more about the state's land proposal to settle past-due revenue claims owed to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. During the pule, the wind quieted to a whisper in anticipation of the news to eome. Moloka'i was the final destination for the first round of 10 informational meetings OHA held throughout

the islands in December. While the audience listened intently, three words described the proposed settlement history and process: patience, persistence and perseverance. "OHA has patiently but persistently worked to reach a settlement solution for decades," said OHA Chief Executive Officer Clyde Nāmu'o, who retired at the end of 201 1. In 1978 when OHA was created, the agency was to receive a percentage of revenues yearly from the Puhlie Land Trust. "Multiple proposals to convey revenues over the last 30 years had failed to receive legislative approval," Nāmu'o said. "Now with the state's Ananeial challenges, the settlement is not money but rather 25 acres of oceanfront property at Kaka'ako, O'ahu, valued at close to $200 million." Not everyone in the audience knew about the debt. "I've never heard of the outstanding revenues," says Samuel Hulu, a Moloka'i homesteader. Another resident, Judy Caparita,

had followed OHA's settlement actions for decades, but was anxious to hear about the proposal's details. OHA attorney Bill Meheula listed OHA's actions over the past two decades, saying, "OHA persevered to collect the delinquent payments, including (filing) multiple lawsuits against the state, but the debt grew larger eaeh year." Meheula began representing the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in 2003 and patiently worked toward a creative solution. He feels OHA's persistence has finally resulted in a solution both OHA and the state ean accept. "It is a team effort to ensure the proposal is accepted by the state Legislature this spring," said Meheula. "Any major opposition from any sector will kill the deal." The team includes OHA staff and Trustees, the Governor, the state Attorney General, the Legislature, Native Hawaiians, the friends of Kaka'ako, and the broader puhlie. Therefore, OH A is meeting with all participants to ensure everyone understands the details of the settlement and properties. Another round of community consultation meetings are planned in early 2012 to continue the dialogue. The 10 Kaka'ako lots in the proposed land deal are largely contiguous. "Contiguous land is easier to manage," said Nāmu'o. "Next, OHA needs a master plan for the area," he said. "And lastly, the land has eeonomie engine potential, whieh ean fund Native Hawaiian programs in the future." Audience suggestions were to designate open space and oeean access in the master plan and set aside land for cultural purposes. OHA Chairperson Colette Machado committed to balancing cultural, environmental and Ananeial considerations to ensure a well-rounded plan. Machado asked the audience for a show of hands if they supported the proposal, and the majority raised their hands. "Receiving land to provide funds for services such as scholarships, business startups and other programs is good," said Kimo McPherson. "All the power to OHA in getting this settlement." Nāmu'o outlined the lengthy due-diligence process that needed to be done before OHA would accept the land. "The due-diligence process costs money, but we are more confident this time that we have a workable proposal," he said. Lor more information about the land proposal, please see oha.org/kakaako. ■ Cheryī Corbiell is an Instructor at the University of Hawai'i Maui College-Moloka'i and a reading tutor at Kaunakakai Elementary School.

G0VERNANCE

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To restore pono and ea, Native Hawaiians will achieve self-gover-nanee, after whieh the assets of 0HA will be transferred to the new governing entity.

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OHA Attorney Bill Meheula, standing, said of the state's longstanding debt to OHA: "OHA persevered to collect the delinquent payments, including (filing) mulhple lawsuits against the state, but the debt grew larger eaeh year." OHA is weighing a proposal, whieh is subject to legislative approval, to settle the 30-year debt. - Photo: Aliee Silbanuz