Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 7, Number 5, 1 May 1990 — OHA Board Business [ARTICLE]

OHA Board Business

By Ed Miehelman Public Information Officer

The board of trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs held their monthly business meeting March 30 at OHA's Honolulu office. Trustees present were Vice-Chairman Burgess and Trustees Akaka, Ching, DeSoto, Hao, Kahaialii, Keale and Mahoe. Chairman Kaulukukui was in Washington, D.C., on OHA business and was excused. Community Concerns Miloli'i fishermen and members of Pa'a Pono Miloli'i requested financial assistance for legal representation to oppose the proposed Hawaiian Riviera Resort to be built near the historic Miloli'i fishing village. Acting Chairman Burgess referred the budget request to the Committee on Operations and Development and directed staff to review the budget and work with the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation on the issues. Committee Reports Committee on External Affairs After extended debate, the board adopted a number of additional preservation and mitigation measures recommended to minimize damage to archaeological sites by the H-3 freeway in windward O'ahu. The motion also called for protection of a family cemetery and addressed other eoncerns raised by the Watson family that has lived in the area for generations. The motion to approve the following measures was adopted on a 5 to 1 vote, with Trustee Akaka voting "no". 1. That the proposed alignment of the H-3 route and construction be modified to assure that the upper terraces of Site G5-86 are preserved, and that all reasonable efforts be made to preserve as mueh of the lower terraces as possible (including burying the terraces with a thick layer of fill), and that the ramp design near Site G5-106 be modified to avoid this area; 2. That a wall between the highway and Site 106 be constructed to provide a buffer for the site and to prevent further damage due to rain and water run-off; 3. That the private property extending between the H-3 alignment and Likelike Highway be aequired to assure the public ownership and access to Site 106; 4. That with this route, there will be no disturbanee of graves at the known historic cemetery; 5. That OHA require the state Department of Transportation to guarantee access to and from the Watson family property and to maintain the present integrity of the quality and use of the spring — including the assurance that no pile-driv-ing will occur at Site G5-86 — and report eomplianee in 60 days; and 6. That a buffer zone in whieh no construction activity will be conducted shall protect the Watson family property during the negotiations phase regarding water and the topological assessments required to assess whether possible avoidance of the wall associated with the cemetery site ean be achieved. Committee on Operations and Development The board unanimously adopted a motion to

identify native Hawaiian trust money as the source of funding for a $65,000 budget to be used for informahonal activities relative to the settlement agreement on native Hawaiian ceded land entitlements. The motion approves a "draw-down" from the OHA investment portfolio for this purpose, providing that the funds, plus interest, are to be replaced as soon as possible from ineome received as a result of the settlement. The trustees voted to expend $25,500 to eonduct a program and management audit of the Native Hawaiian Land Title Project whieh is administered by the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation. The expenditure is contingent on identification of a funding source by administrative staff. Committee on Programs The trustees adopted a motion to convey to all state and county agencies its eoneem over misuse of the term 'ohana with respect to so called " 'ohana zoning". It was noted that negative publicity has been generated when home additions are occupied by individuals who are not related to the homeowner. OHA Chairman Kaulukukui, in a recent letter to the Honolulu City Council, pointed out that " 'ohana zoning's original intent was consistent with the Hawaiian sense of family, closeness, unity, support and !ove. The trustees unanimously approved a committee recommendation that OHA support efforts by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to guarantee beneficiary rights and interests in the Kualapu'u aquifier on Moloka'i and that a letter expressing this position should be transmitted over the signature of Moloka'i trustee Hao. Administrator's report Deputy Administrator Stanley Lum summarized Senate Concurrent Resolution 181 whieh proposes amendments to Hawaii's constitution "providing that members of the board of trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs shall represent a particular island and be elected by qualified resident voters of that island or county." Presently OHA candidates are elected at-large although the law imposes residency requirements on five of the nine trustee positions. Trustee Ching moved that OHA support the concept and intent of SCR 181, but with deep reservations including, but not limited to, the necessity to consider Hawaiian public input, census data and self-determination. The motion was adopted unanimously. Executive Session The board approved the administrator's recommendation to hire Ramona Vincent as Culture Specialist for the Education and Culture Division and Lisa Rodrigues as Secretary for the Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund Program. Calendar The next board of trustees meeting was set for Friday, Apnl 27 at 10 a.m. in OHA's Honolulu office. In May, the board of trustees will hold a community meeting Friday, May 11 on Lana'i followed by a full board meeting Saturday, May 12.