Legislative Liaison

As Vice-Chair of the Committee on Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment (BAE) and one of two “Legislative Liaisons” for the 2012 legislative session, I had the distinct pleasure working closely with Senators Malama Solomon, Clayton Hee, and Brickwood Galuteria and Representative Faye Hanohano on issues relating to the Settlement and the preservation of Kuleana Lands.

Kaka’ako Makai

Senate Bill 682 proposed to add value to two parcels of land that are among the lands in Kaka’ako Makai that the OHA/State Settlement (Act 015) conveys to OHA.  The right to develop residential structures on these two lots would add significant value and provide much needed revenue for our Nation.

On April 5, 2012, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported that SB682 was likely dead in the House.  However, the Senate’s Ways and Means and Judiciary and Labor committees added similar language into a related bill that had already passed the House — HB2819 — so the language for SB682 could still be heard in conference committee.  HB2819 did not pass out of its conference committee before the end of session on May 3^rd and will need to be revisited in the next legislative session.

Protecting Kuleana Land Property Tax Exemptions

On November 22, 2011, the Star-Advertiser reported that the Real Property Tax Advisory Commission recommended that the City & County of Honolulu eliminate property tax exemptions for about 150,000 Oahu homeowners, including Kuleana Land owners.

On January 23, 2012, I testified before, the City Council’s Budget Committee hearing on the Real Property Tax Advisory Commission’s Report.  I explained to the members of the committee the heartbreaking history of Kuleana Lands and stressed to the Budget Committee Chair, Councilmember Ann Kobayashi, that OHA strongly opposed the proposal.  Thankfully, the matter was dropped (for now at least).  However, upon Councilmember Kobayashi’s recommendation, I worked to get the State Legislature to pass a resolution supporting the protection and preservation of Kuleana Lands.

On April 10, 2012, the State Senate adopted Senate Resolution (SR) 33 which urged the counties to preserve property tax exemptions for Kuleana Lands.  I would like to offer my sincere thanks to Senator Malama Solomon who introduced SR 33, and Senators Brickwood Galuteria, Gilbert Kahele, Donovan Dela Cruz, and Michelle Kidani for signing onto the resolution.  I would like to give a big Mahalo to OHA staff members Breann Nu’uhiwa, Sterling Wong, Jim McMahon & Luci Meyer for all their efforts to get this resolution passed.

I would also like to send a special Mahalo to Representative Faye Hanohano for introducing House versions of the Kuleana Lands resolutions, House Concurrent Resolution 117 & House Resolution 89, and getting them approved by the House Hawaiian Affairs Committee.  However, both resolutions did not get a hearing in the House Finance Committee despite my repeated requests to its Chair, Rep. Marcus Oshiro.  Neither resolution called for any money to be appropriated so the question is why were they even referred to the House Finance Committee? Aloha Ke Akua.

I would like to give my heartfelt thanks to those who made this momentous settlement possible: Governor Neil Abercrombie; Senate President Shan Tsutsui; House Speaker Calvin Say; the Chairs of the House and Senate committees that heard the bill; the Native Hawaiian Caucus, and all of the legislators who voted for this historic settlement.  I also thank the following Native Hawaiian organizations for their support:  The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Hawaiian Civic Clubs, the Sovereign Councils of the Hawaiian Home Lands Assembly, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement and Kamehameha Schools.

The lands that were transferred to OHA will someday generate the revenue needed to support OHA’s many Native Hawaiian programs.  This process may take some time, but we are well on our way to someday being completely self-sufficient.

Senate Bill 682

The intent of Senate Bill 682 is to add value to two parcels of land that are among the lands in Kaka’ako Makai that SB2783 conveys to OHA.  SB682 specifically proposes to allow certain lots in the makai area of Kakaako Community Development District to be developed for residential units and exempt from public facilities fees, provided that 20 percent of the units are designated for residents in the low- or moderate-income range.

OHA appreciates the bill’s intent and didn’t object to its passage — as long as it didn’t hurt the passage of SB 2783.  The right to develop residential structures on these two lots would add significant value and provide much needed revenue for our Nation.

It should also be noted that OHA remains committed to the guiding principles of the Conceptual Master Plan and will address these principles in any application for development permits for the two lots.  OHA will also be able to request entitlements for the S82783 properties in subsequent legislative sessions once OHA becomes the landowner.

On April 5, 2012, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported that SB682 was likely dead in the House.  However, the Senate’s Ways and Means and Judiciary and Labor committees added similar language into a related bill that had already passed the House — HB2819 — so if this House bill is approved by the full Senate, the language for SB682 could still be heard in conference committee before the end of session on May 3rd.

Senator Clayton Hee, Chairman of the Judiciary and Labor Committee, was quoted as saying, “It’s an important bill in terms of economic development, in terms of some of the members who felt — and continue to feel — that the settlement doesn’t meet the amount that should have been settled on.”  Aloha Ke Akua.

Senate Bill 2783

On March 2, 2012, the Senate Committees on Judiciary and Labor and Ways and Means passed SB 2783 (part of Governor Abercrombie’s Legislative Package) UNAMENDED.  SB 2783 will (1) Resolve all claims OHA has raised relating to its portion of income from the public land trust from November 7, 1978 to June 30, 2012; and (2) Fulfill constitutional obligations to Native Hawaiians by providing OHA with fee simple title to certain parcels of land situated in Kakaako makai.  The proposal would not affect any other claims against the state.  The bill now goes to the floor of the Senate for approval before it crosses over to the House.

I would like to thank everyone who supported S.B. 2783 including Governor Neil Abercrombie, the Attorney General; the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, the Kalihi Palama Hawaiian Civic Club, the O‘ahu Council Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, the Ko‘olau Foundation, Kako‘o ‘Oiwi, the Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.

Once SB 2783 passes and the lands are transferred to OHA, the revenues generated by the parcels will help to support OHA’s many Native Hawaiian programs.  However, this may take some time as we assess all of the options available to us and work through complicated property issues that need to be dealt with before the parcels are ready for use.

Senate Bill 682, Senate Draft 1

Also on March 2nd, the Senate Committees on Water, Land, and Housing and Judiciary and Labor passed SB 682 SD1.  Essentially, SB 682 SD1 would allow residential development on two parcels (919 and 653 Ala Moana Blvd.) which will be conveyed to OHA if SB 2783 is approved by the legislature in its current form.

OHA, along with the Governor and Attorney General, testified in support of SB682 SD1. The Attorney General testified that he appreciates the bill’s intent and didn’t object to its passage as long as it does not hurt the passage of SB 2783 and is acceptable to the Legislature as a whole.  OHA took the same position.

The right to develop residential structures on these two lots would add significant value and could someday provide the needed revenue for our Nation to be self-sufficient.  It should also be noted that OHA remains committed to the guiding principles of the Conceptual Master Plan and will address these principles in any application for development permits for the two lots.

OHA Chair Colette Machado was quoted by KITV4 (March 2, 2012) that OHA would focus on affordable rental housing for Oahu’s workforce and not luxury condominiums.  Chair Machado stated that “We could go up to 200 feet, and we are looking at residential as an opportunity as a home base for our people.  We are talking rentals, not condos because we will not sell the ceded lands.”  Governor Abercrombie was also quoted as saying “This is part of a whole idea of Kakaako as the third city in Honolulu.  With this OHA settlement, Kakaako is going to be the place people want to be.”  SB682 SD1 now heads over to the House for consideration.  Aloha Ke Akua.

`Ano`ai kakou…  This year has started off with several refreshing changes.

NEW MAUI TRUSTEE

First, OHA welcomed new Maui Trustee, Carmen “Hulu” Lindsey, who was appointed by Governor Neil Abercrombie.  Trustee Lindsey will serve on an interim basis until November when a special election will be held to fill the remaining two years of Trustee Mossman’s term.  Trustee Lindsey brings a burst of new energy to the board with her knowledge, experience, and willingness to give her all for our beneficiaries.

NEW OHA C.E.O.

Congratulations to Dr. Kamana’opono Crabbe on his appointment by the Board of Trustees as the new Chief Executive Officer of OHA.  I have long admired his exemplary work over the past few years as OHA’s Research Director and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of the position.

I am delighted that Dr. Crabbe’s lifetime of dedication and advocacy for Native Hawaiians is finally being recognized so appropriately.  It is a comfort for me to know that our people have a true advocate within OHA.  I am sincerely hoping that our staff members and Trustees will allow Dr. Crabbe to bring his own style of leadership to OHA, which may differ from previous administrations.

I look forward to working closely with both Trustee Hulu Lindsey and Dr. Crabbe this year to build a bright and sustainable future for all Native Hawaiians.

APPOINTED BAE VICE-CHAIR

I am pleased to report that I have been appointed Vice-Chair of the Committee on Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment (BAE), one of the two subject-matter committees under the Board of Trustees.  I will now be working closely with BAE Chair, Trustee John Waihe’e IV, on all federal and state legislation, on-going programs in health, housing, education, land, and the Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund.

LEGISLATIVE LIAISON

I will also continue to serve as one of two “Legislative Liaisons” appointed by Trustee Waihe’e for the 2012 legislative session.  This is a crucial year for OHA as we intensely lobby the House and Senate for the passage of legislation to finally resolve the claims relating to OHA’s portion of income from the Public Land Trust between Nov. 7, 1978, and June 30, 2012. (House Bill 2521 & Senate Bill 2783).  I look forward to putting my many years of lobbying experience and strong relationships with legislators to good use.

EMBRACE TRANSPARENCY

After several years and countless requests to the administration to televise OHA meetings, in a way similar to what the Honolulu City Council or the State Legislature are doing, OHA has finally taken a step in the right direction.

OHA is now broadcasting live board meetings from Honolulu to Kauai.  Beneficiaries on Kauai should check OHA’s meeting notices or call 241-3390 to confirm whether there will be a live video conference broadcast to the Lihu’e State Office Building.

It is my hope that this will encourage the Administration to broadcast live OHA meetings to the other neighbor islands.  Broadcasting all of our meetings will not only make Trustees more accessible to beneficiaries, but it will also allow beneficiaries to see how our board conducts its business.  What a refreshing change that would be.  Aloha Ke Akua.

`Ano`ai kakou… After four years of countless meetings with City officials and testifying before an endless parade of committees, Kuleana Lands finally became exempt from real property taxes on Oahu in 2007 and it is now known as Revised Ordinances of Honolulu Section 8-10.32 Exemption—Kuleana land.

Native Hawaiian families who had been caring for their Kuleana lands for generations are now protected from sky-rocketing property taxes because of luxury resorts and shopping malls being built around them. If the exemption didn’t pass when it did, more Kuleana lands would have fallen out of Hawaiian hands.

Since most of the Kuleana lands were carved up, taken away or abandoned, the impact on tax revenues was predicted to be extremely minimal so OHA argued that there should be no reason why the ordinance shouldn’t pass. This has in fact been proven to be the case.

According to the Star-Advertiser (Nov. 14, 2011) there were 37 Kuleana Land parcels on Oahu receiving a property tax exemption for Fiscal Year 2011-2012, which cost the city $91,000 in taxes. Given its tragic history, I believe this is a very small price for the City to pay in order to preserve the last of Oahu’s Kuleana Lands.

Establishing the property tax exemption for Kuleana Lands on all islands has been the most important accomplishments for us in 10-years. We must do everything that we can to protect against taking away this right that should have been grandfathered into the law in 1898 and again in 1959.

The City & County of Honolulu also sent a strong message to the Native Hawaiian community that it was knowledgeable of Hawaiian history and was sympathetic and supportive of Hawaiian causes. The City helped to put an end to the injustices done to the caretakers of Oahu Kuleana lands over the past 150-years.

This truly momentous piece of legislation eventually paved the way for the three neighbor island counties to establish similar property tax exemptions for their Kuleana Lands. It was a relief to finally know that the very last of the Kuleana Lands that were able to survive would be protected and kept in Hawaiian hands. Or so I thought…

On November 22, 2011, the Star-Advertiser reported that the Real Property Tax Advisory Commission (created by the City Council and headed by Lowell Kalapa – the only person to testify against the property tax exemptions for Kuleana Lands) is recommending that the City & County of Honolulu eliminate property tax exemptions for about 150,000 Oahu homeowners, including the blind, elderly and disabled. It is also proposing that the exemptions for charitable organizations, credit unions, schools, churches and other groups be abolished or significantly reduced. Their goal is to provide tax relief that is more connected to a landowner’s ability to pay rather than giving exemptions based on a particular category.

The biggest danger is that only three of the current City Councilmembers were in office in 2007 (Ann Kobayashi, Nestor Garcia, and Romy Cachola). Most of the City Council is unaware of the history of Kuleana Lands and will have to be briefed all over again. By the time this article is published, I will have testified before the City Council on behalf of Kuleana Land owners. It should be noted that while the State negotiates with OHA for unpaid ceded revenues, the City, which is in possession of ceded lands as well, has NOT paid a dime to Hawaiians for the lands that they have in their inventory.

Thankfully, the Star-Advertiser (November 14, 2011) also reported that since five of the nine Council seats are up for election this year, there is only a slim chance that the Real Property Tax Advisory Commission’s controversial proposals will pass.

Let us make absolutely sure that this is the case.  Please contact your City Councilmember and let them know that property tax exemptions for Kuleana Lands must be preserved.

`Ano`ai kakou…  I started off 2011 with a continued hope that there will be positive changes at OHA.  While not always positive, the year was definitely one of major transition for OHA as we: (1) Approved a monumental law which will establish State Recognition for Native Hawaiians; and (2) Received an offer from the Governor to finally resolve the claims relating to OHA’s portion of income from the public land trust between 11/7/1978 and 7/1/2009.

STATE RECOGNITION

After being one of two Trustees appointed as a “Legislative Liaison” representing OHA for the 2011 session, I focused my many years of lobbying experience and strong relationships with legislators on two important issues: (1) Establishing state recognition for Native Hawaiians; and (2) Resolving the past due ceded land payments from the state.

Thanks to the hard work of the Native Hawaiian Caucus, Senate Bill (SB) 1520 was approved by the legislature and signed into law by Governor Neil Abercrombie.  SB1520 establishes a new law that recognizes Native Hawaiians as the only indigenous, aboriginal, Maoli people of Hawaii.  It also establishes a process for Native Hawaiians to organize themselves as a step in the continuing development of a reorganized Native Hawaiian governing entity and, ultimately, the federal recognition of Native Hawaiians.

A special Mahalo to Senators Malama Solomon, Clayton Hee, and Brickwood Galuteria, and Representative Faye Hanohano for their tireless effort to get SB 1520 passed into law.

PAST DUE CEDED LANDS SETTLEMENT

In the 2009, SB 995 (Introduced by Senator Colleen Hanabusa by request and supported by Senator Hee) sought to have the State resolve its long overdue debt to OHA resulting from public land trust revenues unpaid from 11/7/1978 to 7/1/2010 by offering OHA $251 million in cash and 20 percent of the 1.8 million acres of ceded lands.  The proposal died in the House and went nowhere in 2010.  In the 2011 Legislative Session, SB 984, part of the OHA Package of bills, died after it was deferred by the Senate Hawaiian Affairs and Judiciary committees.

However, on Nov. 16, 2011, Governor Neil Abercrombie offered OHA property in Kaka‘ako as payment to cover the settlement of past due amounts.  The Governor should be commended for his bold offer.  OHA has lobbied many Governors in the past with nothing to show for it.  Now, for the first time, Governor Abercrombie is making OHA an offer that could potentially generate all of the revenue OHA needs to operate indefinitely and would give our future nation the concrete assets it needs to serve the Hawaiian population.

Although there is a lot work ahead of us in the upcoming legislative session, I feel more confident than ever that OHA, on behalf of our beneficiaries, will finally prevail.  An important part of that will be educating our elected officials and the community about this opportunity.

OHA must also do everything in its power to successfully lobby the State Legislature and convince any naysayers to have a change of heart.  In this effort, we will need your support to effectively solidify the settlement.  OHA will be taking this proposal to community meetings around the state so that our beneficiaries will understand it.  I look forward to 2012 with great hope and anticipation that our efforts to resolve this long standing issue will finally be put to rest.

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a most prosperous New Year.

November 2011 KA WAI OLA COLUMN

`Ano`ai kakou…  On September 21, 2011, the OHA Board of Trustees held a historic joint meeting with the nine-member Hawaiian Home Lands Commission to discuss ways to expand our roles in creating housing opportunities for Hawaiians.  The meeting prompted a great deal of discussion about the ways trustees and commissioners could work together to increase housing opportunities for all Hawaiians.

OHA and DHHL have a long history of working together to create homeownership opportunities for Hawaiian
families.  For example, we worked together to house 279 Hawaiian families in the Kānehili subdivision in Kapolei
and 19 others in the new Kaupuni community in Wai‘anae.

OHA has also contributed $500,000 to a joint effort with DHHL to renovate Kalaniana‘ole Hall in Moloka‘i; $667,000 to rebuild Kawānaanakao Gym on the Big Island; and $3 million to build the 85-unit Waimanalo Kupuna Housing.  In addition, OHA has provided $3 million annually to cover the debt service on bond funding of approximately $40 million on various DHHL projects.  And in 1994, OHA set aside $20 million for down payment and home repair loans for homeowners and those on the waiting list.

According to the Star-Advertiser (9/23/11) Hawaii is one of the bottom states when it comes to owning a home and renting.  Hawaii was the highest in the nation for the median cost of a home, at $525,400, compared with West Virginia, which ranked the lowest at $95,100.  The national average was $179,900.

Our median rent was first in the U.S. at $1,291, compared with West Virginia, which came in last at $571.  The median rent in the nationwide was $855.

Among our islands, Oahu had the highest monthly rent at $1,363, while the Big Island had the lowest at $972.  The percentage
of multigenerational households here was the highest in the country at 7.2 percent.

According to OHA’s Kauhale: Native Hawaiians and Housing report (9/21/11), Native Hawaiians:

• Experience a disproportionately high rates of unsheltered homelessness and make up a significant portion of the population in shelters;
• Spend a significant amount of their income on housing; and
• Must compete for both rental and homeownership opportunities in an inflated market.

Our local people are also faced with the fact that landlords are aware that the federal government supplements housing for military families and are also providing them with a cost of living allowance (COLA).  Given these benefits, military families are able to pay the high rents charged by landlords, while our local people are not.

I believe the solution lies in partnering with other advocates and pooling our resources to address the core issue of homelessness – the lack of affordable rentals and homes.

Going forward, the key to success will be to think outside of the narrow vision of building only single family homes.  We must build townhomes where more than one family can live in, nice apartments or transitional housing units for single family members and Kupuna.

I look forward to working closely with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Director and its Commissioners in the coming years to vastly improve the housing conditions for all of our Hawaiian people.

Aloha Ke Akua and Imua Hawaii nei.

`Ano`ai kakou…  OHA has begun its search for a new Maui board member to replace Trustee Boyd Mossman, who has accepted an important assignment by his Church and plans to resign as of November 1, 2011.

I’m taking this opportunity to send my deepest Mahalo to Trustee Mossman for his years of dedicated service to our beneficiaries not only within the County of Maui but the State of Hawaii.  I offer my fondest Aloha and best wishes to Trustee Mossman and his wife Marvalee Maile Kaiaokamalie Mossman as they begin their new positions as temple president and matron of the Kona Hawaii Temple.

THE SEARCH FOR A NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Will begin soon…

On September 1, 2011, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser ran a front-page article stating that OHA was preparing to replace its CEO Clyde Namu’o.  I am grateful for the professional leadership that Mr. Namu’o has brought to OHA during the past decade.  Our agency has grown by leaps and bounds over the many years that I have been a Trustee.  Through the years there have been many changes in our programs, personnel, and in our strategic plans.

While some people may be hesitant or resistant to making changes, I look forward to change with great enthusiasm and always with the hope that it will bring new energy, ideas, and challenges to take on — whatever the future may bring.

In our search for a new Trustee and a new CEO for OHA, candidates must have a vision for the future, dedication, a belief in the goal of attaining sovereignty and self-sufficiency for our Hawaiian People, patience, and tolerance because it will require all of these qualities – and more – to serve our people.

When serving as a public servant, too often people forget about the “servant” part of the job.  When that happens, you have
lost sight of your propose and can no longer serve effectively.

REORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Currently, there are two subject-matter committees under the Board of Trustees: The Committee on Asset and Resource Management (ARM), and The Committee on Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment (BAE).

In an effort to involve more of the Trustees in leadership, OHA Chair Colette Machado appointed Trustee John Waihee IV late last year as Chair of the BAE Committee and with the departure of Trustee Mossman there will be further changes made to our committee structure.

SEND IN YOUR RESUMES

As we search for a new Trustee and CEO, I am hopeful that we will have many applicants who will submit their resumes to us so that we may choose wisely from a large pool of talent.

NATIVE HAWAIIAN ROLL COMMISSION

OHA is currently undertaking the enrollment of our Hawaiian People, which has been mandated by Act 195 (SB1520).  We look
forward to this endeavor and embrace this challenge with the assistance of the five-member Native Hawaiian Roll Commission.
Members include: (1) Chairman of the Commission — Former Governor John Waihee III; (2) Naalehu Anthony of ‘Oiwi TV; (3) Attorney Lei Kihoi; (4) Former Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation Executive Director Mahealani Perez-Wendt; and (5) Robin Danner of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement.

To this effort, let us all move together in one canoe and agree ahead of time to “agree to disagree” if need be, but always with Aloha for one another’s thoughts and opinions, and it will be possible for all of us to move forward.

Aloha Ke Akua and Imua Hawaii nei.

`Ano`ai kakou…  Our state needs a quick solution to our fossil fuel problem.  Hawaii is the most oil depend state in the U.S., making up 90% of our energy needs.  We currently pay $7 billion annually for imported oil and we also have the highest electricity rates in the U.S.  With the price of oil is predicted to rise over $200 a barrel by 2013-2014, things are only going to get more expensive.

It is imperative that we develop renewable and self-sufficient sources of energy for the entire state.  Luckily, Hawaii is blessed with many valuable sources of renewable energy such as Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), tidal, surge, wave, wind, solar, and geothermal.

While each of these energy sources have downsides, it is geothermal that has the worst reputation.  Everyone remembers the
debacle caused in 1993 by the Puna Geothermal Venture on the Big Island.  Residents were so angry about the lack of community input and emission problems that they ended any further geothermal development on the island.  Clearly, the Puna
Geothermal Venture is a perfect example of how not to develop a geothermal plant in Hawaii.

Innovations Development Group (IDG), a Hawaii-based company established in 1998, studied the mistakes that were made in Puna and offers a better, cleaner, and culturally appropriate development plan.  IDG is a majority Native Hawaiian-owned company with extensive experience developing energy opportunities in Hawaii and the Pacific.  They are currently developing three geothermal projects in New Zealand.

IDG operates under the Native-to-Native Community Collaborative Model in Indigenous Communities, which recognizes the rights of indigenous peoples to participate in the development and improvement of their resources in a culturally appropriate, environmentally sustainable, equitable, socially responsible, economically sensible, and most importantly – pono way.

IDG is proposing to develop geothermal projects in viable locations through the state using the latest technology re-injects missions.  It is currently conducting presentations to various stakeholders, including OHA.  During our presentation, IDG promised to: (1) Identify and preserve all cultural resources; (2) Hire cultural protection consultants; (3) Share the benefits of proceeds with the community through job training, onsite employment opportunities, scholarships, educational opportunities, community centers, agriculture markets, building new parks, and improving beach areas; and (4) Provide a fair and reasonable electric rate to customers.

IDG projects also provide secondary small business opportunities such as spa bathing facilities; timber and food drying using steam; an industrial technology park with a renewable energy focus; and even aquaponic greenhouses.

In early July, Trustee Peter Apo and I attended an accelerated course on managing investments in an unpredictable economy at the Yale University School of Management.  It was a great learning experience.  One of the topics of discussion was how endowments and trusts are now investing in venture capital as a way to hedge their investments.  By using alternative investments such as commodities, natural resources, and venture capital, they are able to stabilize their portfolios.  Geothermal as a venture capital investment would make a lot of sense for OHA to seriously consider.

Before any IDG proposal is considered by OHA, they will first need to consult the Native Hawaiian Community regarding: (1) The selection of the site; (2) The technology that will be used, (3) Cultural access for gathering, worship, heritage protection and preservation; (4) Any negative impacts to Native religious belief system; (5) Benefits for Native Hawaiians; and (6) Their a
broader vision for Hawaii.

The state is in the middle of a budget crisis and is struggling to look for new sources of income to pay for critical services.
Geothermal developments could provide the income the state desperately need while significantly reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and providing benefits to the community without raising taxes – but only with strong safeguards and caveats.

Aloha Ke Akua.

`Ano`ai kakou…  Times are tough for Hawaii small businesses.  The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported (6/8/11) that we had “one of the nation’s poorest-performing economies last year, registering growth of just 1.2 percent,” which was the “44th lowest
out of the 50 states and was well below the national average.”

To add insult to injury, the State was forced to increase taxes at the worst possible time.  In July, the vehicle registration fee increased by $20 to $45.  The weight tax increased a penny to 1.75 cents per pound for vehicles up to 4,000 pounds.  The rental car surcharge increased to $7.50 a day from $2 a day until June 30, 2012, when it goes down to $3 a day.  Matson Navigation
also imposed a $52 charge on all in-coming cargo to help recover costs related to paying the general excise tax. (Star-Advertiser, 6/26/11)

So what can the State do?  I have two quick suggestions:

INCREASE APEC OPPORTUNITIES

Our elected leaders should insist that more is done to allow local small businesses to have a crack at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s (APEC) service contracts.  The APEC meeting of trade and foreign ministers from 21 Pacific Rim countries will take place here in Honolulu from November 7-13 and is expected to attract 20,000 attendees, including 2,000 journalists.  President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will also be in attendance.

The APEC Hawaii Host Committee has estimated that the conference will generate about $131 million in spending in Hawaii, but how much of that money will trickle down to the Hawaii’s small businesses?  So far, it seems like the only real winners are the big high-tech companies that are providing technical or communication services and the Waikiki hotels providing the approximately 120,000 rooms that are needed.

Surely our elected officials can ask that APEC open up more service opportunities for our small businesses.  After all, various
government agencies have collectively given tens of millions of dollars to APEC, including OHA.

STOP AIRLINE SEAT LOSSES

According to the Star-Advertiser (6/3/11), our state will lose 188 airline seats in September after American Airlines’ recently decided to drop its only direct daily flight between San Francisco and Honolulu.  I believe that high-traffic flights to major
cities on the West Coast are an important part of Hawaii’s tourism-based economy and should be increased rather than eliminated.

Although Hawaiian Airlines has said they will help to meet the demand by adding 30-seats beginning in November 2011, as a frequent business traveler, I can attest to the fact that the San Francisco flights are always packed to capacity.  A 30-seat addition by Hawaiian Airlines will not be enough to meet the demand.

In fact, the American Airlines decision seems to only be focused on their plans to retire older, less fuel efficient planes and not on whether there is a market for this flight.

Our economy cannot withstand any further erosion of our tourism market.  We must fight the loss of these seats.  Losing this daily flight will result in a reduction of jobs for American Airlines employees and other related jobs in the tourism industry and will also cause further losses in state tax revenue at the worst possible time.

If you agree with me, please write or e-mail your elected leaders to do more for small businesses during the APEC meetings.

Aloha Ke Akua.