The board of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is taking concrete steps to correct deficiencies in its operations cited by the state auditor, says board chair Haunani Apoliona. “We want to make things correct, said Apoliona during a brief interview
The board of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is taking concrete steps to correct deficiencies in its operations cited by the state auditor, says board chair Haunani Apoliona.
“We want to make things correct, said Apoliona during a brief interview while she was on Kaua’i to attend a ceremony to honor Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana’ole, a descendent of ancient royal families from Kaua’i, O’ahu, Maui and the Big Island.
In a recently released report, state auditor Marion Higa noted the trustees have not adequately planned for the future of Hawaii’s and spent $13 million on unplanned expenses, exceeding OHA’s budget by 100 percent.
Higa also said OHA lost $2 million due to a delay in the hiring of two international money managers and another $1 million by keeping inefficient fund managers.
Higa also recommended that OHA do a better job of monitoring the Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund program and develop clear polices for organizational changes.
Apoliona said steps are moving forward on those fronts and others to correct problems.
She said it is important to continue to disburse funds to better the lives of Hawaiians and, to that end, OHA members are developing a plan for the disbursal of funds.
A board overseeing the Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund will look at problems cited by Higa and will make appropriate corrections, Apoliona said. The loan is aimed at promoting economical development opportunities for Hawaiians.
The organization also is in the process of establishing more clear policies on organizational changes in order to provide better services. The group also plans to establish an employee grievance policy, Apoliona said.
On the matter of a federal bill recognizing a relationship between the United States and Native Hawaiians, Apoliona said the bill doesn’t preclude sovereignty groups from pursuing self-determination.
She also indicated that OHA members will not interfere with sovereignty efforts.
Staff Writer Lester Chang can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) and mailto:lchang@pulitzer.net
