Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 39, Number 3, 1 Malaki 2022 — What's the difference between DHHL and OHA? [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

What's the difference between DHHL and OHA?

Some people are surprised to learn that the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) and the OfRce of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) are two separate agencies. Below are important distinguishing details between the two organizations and their respective kuleana for serving Native Hawaiians.

Hawaiian Home lands HAWAIIAN l!OMIS COMMI5SION • DEPARTMtNT OF HAWAIIAN IIOME UNDS Beneficiaries DHHL primarily serves native Hawaiians with a minimum 50% blood quantum. Leadership DHHL is governed by the Hawaiian Homes Commission comprised of nine individuals appointed by the Governor with approval of the State Senate. The Chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission also serves as the Director of DHHL. Foundation Established via Federal Legislation in 1921 The Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920 was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1921 to provide for the "rehabilitation" of native Hawaiians through a government-sponsored homesteading program. Kuleana DHHL policy is governed by the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920. DHHL's focus is to protect and manage the Hawaiian Home Lands trust (about 200,000 acres) in an effort to develop infrastructure on its lands and provide a variety of agricultural and residential homesteading opportunities for native Hawaiians. Funding' DHHL is funded by a combination of state funding (like other state departments), revenue from its land trust via leases, and has occasionally received funding from the federal government. DHHL makes budget requests to the legislature every two years. Headquarters Hale Kalaniana'ole: located in Kapolei, O'ahu. Website https://dhhl.hawaii.gov/hhc/

I @HA 0ffice of Hawaiian Affairs Beneficiaries OHA serves all Native Hawaiians, regardless of blood quantum. Leadership OHA is governed by a Board ofTrustees comprised of nine individuals who are elected by Hawai'i residents to serve four-year terms. OHA is administered by a Chief Executive Officer who is hired by the Board of Trustees. Foundation Established via State Constitution in 1978 OHA was created as an outcome of the 1978 Hawai'i State Constitutional Convention to provide for the "betterment of conditions for Native Hawaiians." Kuleana OHA policy is set by its elected Board of Trustees. OHA's strategic focus is on education, health, housing and eeonomie stability to improve the wellbeing of Native Hawaiians. OHA does this through advocacy, research, community engagement and managing its assets - whieh includes providing millions in funding to Native Hawaiian-serving nonprofit organizations. F unding OHA is funded by a combination of state funding (like other state departments), revenue from its land, and 3.8% of Public Land Trust revenues (although by law it should be 20%). OHA makes budget requests to the legislature every two years. Headquarters Nā Lama Kukui: located in Honolulu, O'ahu. Website www.oha.org/about/