Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 37, Number 6, 1 Iune 2020 — Supporting our Lāhui in COVID Response and Advocacy [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Supporting our Lāhui in COVID Response and Advocacy

While there is cautious optimism as the number of contirmed new COVID-19 cases level out in Hawai'i, we must eontinue to be maka'ala about adjusting responsibly to a "new normal" so that we do not cause a return of the virus spread in Hawai'i. As we evaluate the various responses to this pandemic, an important issue whieh stands

out is a laek of data specific to Native Hawaiians. The State of Hawai'i must prioritize the collection and reporting of Native Hawaiian-specific data relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. The uniform collection and reporting of data specific to Native Hawaiians is critieal to the proper administration of the State of Hawai'i"s trust responsibilities and improving the conditions of Native Hawaiians. Disaggregated data is critical in helping to determine the effects of COVID-19 on the Native Hawaiian population and how the State of Hawai'i and OHA ean most effectively direct limited resources to address these effects. Disaggregated data would allow for individuals to identify as Native Hawaiian/Part Hawaiian as a separate category from "Other Paeilie Islander." OHA's ask for uniform data eolleetion is not new. OHA included this in its legislative package in 2012 as eompanion legislation in both the Senate and House of Representatives to facilitate the proper eolleehon and reporting of demographic data by requiring data disaggregation consistent with federal standards and requiring publication of the data. This bill, although heard in Committee, was not passed into law. OHA has also historically provided comments to federal agencies supporting the need for disaggregated data at the federal level. As we navigate these uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic, state agencies including the Departments of Heahh, Labor and Industrial Relations and Human Services are in a unique position to collect, analyze and report

racial and ethnic data on the impact of the pandemic on eaeh communities' heahh, eeonomie conditions and wellbeing. The dissemination of disaggregated data by race and ethnicity is vital for determining and addressing potential disparities of the impacts of COVID-19. We believe this data is critical for OHA and the state to effectively address the needs of our beneficiaries, who are especially vulnerable

during these times. OHA has made its request to Governor David Ige and welcomes the opportunity to work with his administration on this critical issue. OHA staff have been working with partner organizations, medical professionals, data analysts and community advocates to effect changes in the state's procedures for data collection and reporting. In other parts of its COVID-19 response, OHA"s Board of Trustees approved a $3 million emergency relief package to help individual beneficiaries as well as Native Hawaiian communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and associated eeonomie crisis. The Board added $2.17 million to OHA"s existing Emergency Finaneial Assistance Program grant, the Kahiau Community Assistance Program administered by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement. The grant provides up to $ 1 ,500 in one-time emergency assistance to cover mortgage, rent, rent deposit or utility debts of Native Hawaiians facing linaneial hardship. The Board also approved $830,000 to statewide programs to promote eom-munity-based food security for Native Hawaiian farmers, fishermen, ranchers, hunters and other individuals practicing subsistence living. The funds will be administered by the Hawai'i Community Foundation OHA remains committed to aiding our lāhui. We are a resilient people who have persevered through tremendous adversity over the course of our history . We will make it through this by sticking together and eventually eome out on the other side stronger than ever. ■

Cūlette Y. Machado Chair, TrustBB Mūlūka'i and Lāna'i