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Office of Hawaiian Affairs presents budget request as committee advances HB410, HB871 and HB1091
Summary
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs presented its budget request and strategic plan during the Senate Committee on Hawaiian Affairs meeting; the committee passed HB410, HB871 and HB1091, noting one excused absence and limited public testimony on some measures.
The Senate Committee on Hawaiian Affairs reconvened Tuesday, March 18, and heard testimony from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs before voting to advance House Bill 410, House Bill 871 and House Bill 1091.
Lena Alalei, Director of Advocacy for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, testified in person in strong support of HB410, describing it as OHA’s budget request and saying it reflects the agency’s strategic plan, “Mana'i Maoliola,” and a focus on using data to measure progress on disparities facing Native Hawaiians in health, housing, economic development and education. “We really want, what we're doing to be data driven, to be able to share out information about how disparities are changing over time and, you know, to have the legislature have that oversight of are we making progress towards our statutory mandate,” Alalei said.
Alalei told the committee OHA plans to leverage existing relationships and partnerships with other government agencies, share data and best practices, and increase transparency so the legislature and beneficiaries can track outcomes. She added that rising costs in Hawai‘i create ongoing challenges the agency must address.
Committee staff reported a count of 30 individuals registered in support and 2 in opposition for HB410. For HB871 and HB1091 the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) was registered to testify in person but representatives were not present on the record for at least one of the measures; the committee proceeded to open for questions and move into decision making.
Voting results
- HB410 (HD1) — Chair Richards’ recommendation to pass unamended was adopted. Chair Richards — Aye; Vice Chair San Buenaventura — Aye; Senator Ihara — Excused; Senator Keohokalole — Aye; Senator Cort — Aye. Outcome: recommendation adopted (pass unamended).
- HB871 (HD1) — Chair’s recommendation to pass unamended was adopted; the committee noted Senator Ihara’s excused absence. Outcome: recommendation adopted (pass unamended).
- HB1091 (HD1) — Chair’s recommendation to pass as is was adopted; the committee noted Senator Ihara’s excused absence. Outcome: recommendation adopted (pass as is).
The committee recorded limited floor discussion on these measures and adopted the chair’s recommendations. Where members were noted as excused, the transcript records that absence in the roll calls. The committee adjourned following the votes.
