Last month, the State of Hawai‘i settled a debt that will have a lasting positive impact on Native Hawaiians throughout the islands. After nearly three decades of working together toward an agreement with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), I
Last month, the State of Hawai‘i settled a debt that will have a lasting positive impact on Native Hawaiians throughout the islands. After nearly three decades of working together toward an agreement with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), I had the great pleasure of signing into law a measure that settles OHA’s unresolved claims to income and proceeds from ceded lands.
Senate Bill 2783 conveys contiguous and adjacent parcels at Kaka‘ako Makai on O‘ahu valued at $200 million to resolve this dispute. The state and OHA agree that this settlement amount represents a reasonable compromise of the disputed claims. In exchange for the land, OHA will release, waive and discharge any and all claims to ceded lands receipts, under Article XII, Sections 4 and 6 of the State Constitution, from 1978 to July 1 this year.
Settling this longstanding issue was a top priority for my administration. Likewise, the presence of Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, OHA Board of Trustees Chairwoman Colette Machado and her fellow trustees, members of the state Legislature and Native Hawaiian Caucus, and many other leaders and community representatives demonstrated that our priority was shared by many.
Indeed, this agreement, now law, took a lot of hard work and collaboration. I greatly appreciate all those who took the time to make this right and for ensuring that all sides were heard.
But what does this mean for the island of Kaua‘i? After all, these are O‘ahu land parcels that are being conveyed to OHA. Apart from settling the longstanding debt, the bill represents a new day for OHA and its programs, available to Native Hawaiians across the state. The value of these assets and their potential future revenue will greatly enhance OHA’s ability to serve kanaka ma‘oli.
Through various community grants and its Malama Loan, Hua Kanu Business Loan Consumer Micro-Loan programs, OHA creates opportunity for Native Hawaiians to pursue their own goals and dreams, whether those are starting businesses, going to college, or preserving the native language, traditions and culture of Hawai‘i.
On Kaua‘i, OHA supports the Wai‘ale‘ale project, an innovative program to encourage those who may not think college is an option and gives them financial aid and academic support to help students succeed in college. The program recruits students who might otherwise not go to college and helps them succeed. The program is a partnership with Kaua‘i Community College, and about two-thirds of all students accepted into the program are of Native Hawaiian ancestry.
It is often said that the people of Hawai‘i are what truly make our state so remarkable. We must never forget the origins of our concepts of aloha, kokua and ‘ohana — so often used and borrowed, but nonetheless treasured by our state community as core values deeply rooted in Hawaiian heritage. Through this agreement, it is my hope that we are embodying all three.
• Monthly guest columnist Neil Abercrombie is the Democratic governor of the state of Hawai‘i.
