Support HB 410 HD1 Funding OHA’s Vital Programs and Services

Mahalo to everyone who has supported OHA’s budget bill so far – we are getting close to the end of session! This bill is moving into its final hearing before the Senate Committee on Ways and Means on Monday, March 31, at 10:01 a.m.

Submit Testimony by Sunday, March 30, at 10:01 a.m.
This is a decision-making hearing meaning there will be no oral testimony. Testimony received after the deadline will be accepted but considered late.

How to Create a Legislative Account  |  How to Testify

Summary of OHA’s Budget Bill (HB 410 HD1)

Funds will be used to:

• Advance ‘Ōiwi wellbeing and reduce disparities in health, housing, education and economic development.
• Support 13 new staff positions to accelerate implementation of OHA’s 15-year strategic plan, Mana i Mauli Ola.
• Expand collaboration to ensure effective delivery of services to Native Hawaiians across government service-providers.
• Increase transparency and accountability through creation of an online dashboard showing progress in meeting Mana i Mauli Ola benchmarks.
• Continue existing services and grant programs serving the Native Hawaiian community.

Background:

• As of 2022, OHA only receives $21.5 million/year from Public Land Trust revenues instead of the approximately $78.9 million to which it is due as its pro rata share under Hawai‘i law – a gap that continues to grow.
• Until OHA receives its full 20% share of Public Land Trust revenues, appropriations from the legislature will be necessary to cover administrative and operational shortfalls.

Sample Testimony in Support of HB 410 HD1

Use this sample to submit your own testimony:

Aloha e Chair Dela Cruz, Vice Chair Moriwaki, and Members of the Senate Committee on Ways and Mean:

I SUPPORT HB410 HD1 for the following reasons:

Delivery of Services: This bill increases funding for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) to hire new staff and accelerate implementation of its 15-year strategic plan, Mana i Mauli Ola, to advance the wellbeing of its beneficiaries, and to continue funding essential programs and services. The state has never allocated OHA its full pro rata share due by law and therefore periodic appropriations are just, fair, and necessary to enable OHA to meet its broad mandate to better the condition of Native Hawaiians.

Transparency and Synergy:OHA seeks to fund staff positions focused on leveraging partnerships with other state and county agencies and increasing transparency around OHA’s work through an online dashboard. This is a smart investment of taxpayer dollars to ensure collaboration between government entities that serve Native Hawaiians and share the common goal of reducing persistent disparities that Native Hawaiians face in the areas of health, housing, education, and economic empowerment.

As an OHA beneficiary and voter, I am happy to see the innovative approach that OHA’s leadership is taking to meet its statutory and constitutional mandate to improve the conditions of Native Hawaiians.

Mahalo for the opportunity to testify in support of this important measure.

[Your Name]

[Your Contact Information]

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