Poke Nūhou - Newsbriefs

By Ka Wai Ola Staff

That's One Big Check!

At a May 28 ceremony, leaders from OHA and DHHL gathered around a giant version of a $3 million check that symbolizes the unprecedented size and scope of a partnership between the two public trusts in serving the needs of Native Hawaiians. OHA trustees last year approved annual payments of $3 million for up to 30 years to cover the debt service for revenue bonds that will support the development of lots statewide by the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Most of the money will go toward infrastructure that will help to expedite the awarding of more DHHL leases to native Hawaiian applicants. Seen here, Hawaiian Homes Commission Chairman Micah Kāne, on right, accepts the check as it is being displayed by, from left, OHA Trustee Colette Machado, OHA Chairperson Haunani Apoliona, Bobby Hall of DHHL, and OHA Trustee Robert Lindsey. Behind Kāne is Kaulana Park, deputy to the Hawaiian Homes Comission chairman. - Photo: Nelson Gaspar

OHA budget signed into law

On June 22, Gov. Linda Lingle signed into law Act 140, appropriating $2.5 million each year in state general funds for the operation of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for the next two fiscal years.

The $2.5 million reflects a 20 percent cut to the $3 million in general funds OHA has received in past years. The budget had been debated between the House and Senate until the final days of the legislative session, with the House favoring the 20 percent cut and the Senate proposing to eliminate the entire $3 million.

Three organizations that receive funding from OHA's budget were concerned that the Senate's proposed cuts would diminish their ability to provide educational, legal and social services to Native Hawaiians.

In the end, lawmakers passed the House version with the understanding that about $1 million, or about half, of the settlement of the Hōkūli'a lawsuit would be returned to the state.

On June 5, OHA Trustees approved operating budgets of $39.6 million in fiscal year 2010 and $39.5 million in fiscal year 2011. The budgets reflect the reduction in state general-fund contributions and the condition of OHA's investment portfolio. OHA's operating budget is funded mainly by trust fund proceeds, state general funds and payments from the state for use of ceded lands.

State auditor recognizes strides made by OHA

A state audit of information technology management at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs released June 8 found many improvements since the last audit in 2005, however it still pointed out points for improvement.

Among the report's findings was that OHA is a much more stable and functional organization that is focused on its strategic mission. The report, titled "Management Audit of Information Technology Within the Office of Hawaiian Affairs," also found that the backgrounds and attitude of OHA trustees play a significant role in the improvements of overall governance at OHA, and that consistency and stability in the administrator position over the past seven years has contributed to the overall improvements in OHA's governance structures.

The audit's major suggestion is hiring a Chief Information Officer to assume governance duties over information systems, to direct IT policy and strategic planning, and to provide oversight to the agency's varied information assets. "Recognition of the improvements made by OHA is very encouraging," OHA Chair Haunani Apoliona wrote in a letter responding to the report.

DHHL signs lease for Hilo Safeway, Target

The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands on June 19 signed a lease with Safeway and Target for a new development near homesteads in Pana'ewa. The 60-year lease will generate more than $77 million in revenues for DHHL, which will help build communities for native Hawaiians. Construction will begin on the 15.5-acre site in January 2010, with Safeway expected to open in the first half of 2011 and Target targeting July 2011.

The stores will create hundreds of construction and permanent retail jobs, while infusing millions of dollars into the Hilo economy. Hilo's current Safeway store is at Prince Kūhiō Plaza, and a Target store in Kona is expected to open this month.

Safeway said that no plans have been made as of yet with regard to the existing Safeway store, just a block away from the new site.

Monk seal habitat to expand

Federal officials have expanded the critical habitat for 'īlio-holo-i-ka-uaua, the Hawaiian monk seal, from the Northwest Hawaiian Islands down into the main Hawaiian Islands. Environmental groups noticed the seals thriving in the main Hawaiian Islands, and petitioned the National Marine Fisheries Service to expand the habitat area. Monk seal numbers have been decreasing in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, but growing in the main Hawaiian Islands over the last decade. This is the first expansion of the monk seal's designated critical habitat since it was established in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands in the 1980s. Outside the critical habitat, monk seals are protected from harassment by federal law as an endangered species.

Lunalilo Home seeks nursing director

Lunalilo Home is searching for a Director of Nursing for the 42-bed care home in Hawai'i Kai, O'ahu.

Qualifications include being a registered nurse with three years of supervisory or administrative experience and having knowledge of geriatric or long-term care nursing. Kuleana include assuring compliance with applicable regulations, working closely with families and the community, and fostering Hawaiian cultural sensitivity.

Lunalilo Home was founded in 1881 and opened in 1883 through the generosity of King William Charles Lunalilo. The home has been in its current location since 1927. Services are available to all with priority given to elderly Hawaiians.

Fax your cover letter and resume to 395-8487 or mail to 501 Kekāuluohi St., Honolulu, HI 96825.

Summer interns join CNHA team

Four interns will be working at the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement this summer as part of the CNHA Next Generation Leadership Program. Each intern will be given an opportunity to contribute to the mission of CNHA and to Native Hawaiian communities.

>> Brittany Awai from Maui is in her third year at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, studying Accounting. She hopes to develop her skills while giving back to the community.

>> Harrison Goo of O'ahu, is pursuing a law a degree at UH Mānoa's Richardson Law School. Under the guidance of professor Jon Van Dyke, Harrison will be supporting CNHA's continuing work with Hawaiian homestead communities.

>> Shavonn-Haevyn Matsuda from Maui is entering her senior year at UH Mānoa majoring in political science, with a focus on native policies and concerns. She hopes to develop her skills for a career in public policy.

>> Katie Morales is Coast Salish from the Cowichan First Nation in Duncan, British Columbia, Canada. She is working toward a master's degree in social work from the University of Calgary and hopes to pursue a career in community capacity building.

For information on the CNHA Next Generation Leadership Program, contact CNHA at 596-8155, info@hawaiiancouncil.org or hawaiiancouncil.org.

Award-winning educators Kelly Cua, left, and Christy Sato. - Photo: Courtesy of Kamehameha Schools

KS educators draw top award for online teaching

Two Kamehameha Schools teachers are recipients of an award from a national organization that recognizes excellence in the use of technology in education or so-called e-learning. Kelly Cua and Christy Sato earned the prestigious Blackboard Exemplary Course Award for the Hawaiian language course, Ku'u Wahi Noho.

Offered through a Kamehameha Schools' Distance Learning program for parents, caregivers and adults, (ksdl.ksbe.edu) Ku'u Wahi Noho teaches Hawaiian language by teaching students about the Hawaiian sense of place in the area where they live. This is the third consecutive year that Kamehameha Schools Distance Learning has been awarded for its innovative courses that represent the very best in e-learning. Cua and Sato will join seven other Exemplary Course honorees from the United States and Canada at the company's annual users' conference in July in Washington, D.C. Blackboard is a global enterprise in educational technology.

Hawai'i's most beautiful man sought

All you good-looking braddahs: Local designers and pageant coordinators 2Couture (Eric Kamakahia'ai Chandler and Takeo Kobayashi) are looking for contestants for the 2009 Hawai'i's Most Beautiful Man contest, Sept. 12 at the Hawai'i Woman Expo at the Neal Blaisdell Exhibition Hall in Honolulu. There will be three phases of competition: aloha wear, swimsuit and date wear. The winner will receive a cash prize, appear in a fashion magazine and be the most recognized hunk in the Islands. To watch a video of last year's contest, search YouTube for "Hawaii's Most Beautiful Man." Email 2couture@lava.net or call 538-6690 for information or to put your name in the hat.