Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 30, Number 10, 1 ʻOkakopa 2013 — OHA Ioans highlighted at Native Hawaiian Convention [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA Ioans highlighted at Native Hawaiian Convention

By Harold Nedd The Office of Hawaiian Affairs outlined its three loan programs for more than 500 people who gathered for an annual convention focused on Native Hawaiian issues. The agenda for the 12th annual Native Hawaiian Convention, organized by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, included a presentation on OHA's Mālama Loan Program, whieh since it was created in November 2007, has approved $34.6 million for 1,886 Hawaiian consumers who qualified for low-cost financing to improve homes, start new businesses and continue their education. In addition, OHA approved $1.7 million in emergency loans for 370 Hawaiian borrowers who qualified for its Consumer Micro-Loan Pro-

gram since it was created in 2003. The program makes up to $7,500 in low-interest loans available to Hawaiian consumers experiencing temporary Ananeial hardships due to unforeseen circumstances. OHA also approved $1 million in loans to four Hawaiian-owned businesses over the past year. Their average loan was $250,000. The loans were obtained under OHA's newly created Hua Kanu Business Loan Program, whieh makes between $200,000 and $1 million available to help Hawaiians expand their businesses. "OHA's presence at the 12th annual Native Hawaiian Convention reflects our commitment to eonnecting beneficiaries emotionally to our efforts to improve eeonomie opportunities for Hawaiians," said OHA Ka Pouhana, Chief Executive Officer Kamana'opono Crabbe. ■

EA G0VERNANCE

The staff behind 0HA's three loan programs participated in the 1 2th annual Native Hawaiian Convention in Honolulu. Standing from left are: Winfred Cameron, Thomas Atou and Robert Crowell; seated from leftare: Lareina Meineeke, Tracy Mattos, Shannon Toriki and Amber Kalua. - Photo: Aliee Silbanuz