Strong opposition to Unfair Raiding of OHA's Budget! HB 900 HD2 SD1

Strong opposition to

Hawaiian Affairs

HAWAIIANS NEED YOUR KOKUA! From Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, a public interest law firm. Senators at the legislature plan to cut our funding in half by cutting 100% of state funds that we receive through the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. They are also cutting 100% of state funding for the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. Other state-funding programs are only being cut back by 20%. We are a small organization and have been helping Hawaiians for 35 years. We are the only public interest law firm that provides attorneys and legal representation to Hawaiians who are threatened with loss of family lands, loss of Hawaiian Homes, loss of taro lands, loss of fishing grounds, desecration of family graves, and many other problems that, sadly, Hawaiians still face today. Alu Like, Inc. and the program for gifted children, Na Pua Noeau, two other OHA-funded programs, are also facing loss of significant funding because of the cuts to OHA’s budget. Cutting off OHA’s state funding means cutting NHLC’s services in half. We help nearly 4,000 Native Hawaiians annually. Many of our clients are large families as well as organizations and we estimate that at least 2,000 individuals in large families and organizations, in addition to our clients, benefit from our services. The Senate believes that because of tough economic times, Hawaiians shouldn’t ask the state for money, and that OHA should pay for everything out of its own funds. Hawaii’s Constitution mandates funding for DHHL and OHA. Furthermore, OHA’s request is only $3 million out of the state’s $5.1 billion general fund budget (when you add the state’s federal and special funds, the state’s total budget is twice as much, $10 billion). We don’t think the Senate is being fair or just, but more importantly, we worry what will happen to our clients. Please tell our legislators do not cut 100% of state general funds for OHA or the general funds that support Hawaiian programs.

Friday, May 1, 2009 12:52 PM

The Senate has zeroed out OHA's general funds.

The Senate has zeroed out DHHL's general funds.

Only Hawaiian programs have been zeroed out in the state budget.

The State Admissions Act and Constitution mandates support and funding of DHHL and OHA.

OHA monies fund NHLC

NHLC's current budget would be cut in half.

NHLC's staff and facilities would be cut in half

NHLC's services would be cut in half.

In addition to NHLC, other OHA programs, Alu Like and Na Pua Noeau, would suffer severe cutbacks

The Senate says OHA and DHHL have to spend their own money.

OHA's "own money" consists of an (1) investment portfolio; (2) $15 million reserve fund; (3) $2 million from NHLC

(1) The investment portfolio has declined in value by one-half. If OHA spends all of that money, there won't be any left for the future. That is all that OHA has.

(2) The $15 million reserve fund is actually part of the investment portfolio that was set aside for OHA's building.

(3) The $2 million from NHLC is not enough to cover all of the programs that OHA funds with general funds.