The Budget and Finance Committee on Oct. 15 authorized an internal transfer of $50,000 from the FY2026 contracts account into the grants‑in‑aid account so the award can be administered as a grant to Hui Mālama O Kānā‘ula‘ōluma for the acquisition of Ki‘i and Mea Kapu tied to the restoration of Kāne‘ōlua (Kaneoluma) heiau on Kaua‘i.

Staff explained the reclassification is intended to honor the trustees’ original intent while avoiding procurement rules that would apply if OHA procured the sacred items directly. In staff’s explanation, assigning funds as a grant preserves cultural protocols by allowing a nonprofit steward to acquire and curate the cultural objects in keeping with community practices.

Trustees asked how quickly funds could be issued; staff said grants and administration are preparing an expedited process and aim to transfer funds to the nonprofit within weeks after board approval and the subsequent Board of Trustees action. Trustees expressed support for a fast timeline so community caretakers can proceed with acquisition and stewardship.

Why it matters
Trustees framed the move as a culturally appropriate mechanism to ensure sacred items are acquired and stewarded by community practitioners rather than by a government procurement process. The action keeps funding aligned with the board’s intent and reduces administrative friction around cultural protocols.

Next steps
Administration will coordinate an expedited grants process and work with procurement and counsel to ensure the payment method and reporting are appropriate for the items being acquired; staff said their current plan is to issue the grant once the Board of Trustees approves the transfer at the next board meeting.