Budget & Finance Committee approves multiple event sponsorships and awards
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Summary
Trustees approved a set of event sponsorships for Hawaiian cultural and community events across the islands, including awards for Molokaʻi, Oʻahu, Leeward Kai canoe club, and the Na Hoku Hano Hano Awards; amounts and vote outcomes listed below.
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Budget & Finance Committee approved multiple event sponsorships during its April 30, 2025 meeting. The approvals included funding for community cultural events on Molokaʻi, Oʻahu and Leeward Oʻahu, plus the Na Hoku Hano Hano Awards. Several items included brief public testimony; staff recommended awards based on application scores and eligibility.
Votes at a glance
- BF25-33: OHA funding for an Oʻakoakoa Lāhu event sponsorship to Oʻakoakoa o Molokai for the 2025 Molokai Kamehameha celebration (June 13–15, 2025) — approved for $6,000. Administration recommended partial funding after removing amounts ineligible under HRS 10-17 (entertainment/perks). Testifier: Laurie Leigh Rollins Crivello.
- BF25-34: Approval of OHA funding for a Hoʻuakoa Lāhu event sponsorship to Kauiki O Kapo for "Malama the Sweet Waters of the Dark Bay / caring for Waimanalo Honouliuli" (new date 06/21/2025) — approved for $500 (full ask). Testifier: Kahuila O'Brien; applicant said $500 was the requested amount.
- BF25-35: Approval of OHA funding for a Hoʻakoʻakoʻa Lāhu event sponsorship to Leeward Kai Canoe Club for the 2025 Leeward Kai Father's Day Regatta (June 14–15, 2025) — approved for $15,000 (full request based on evaluator recommendation). Testifiers: Alfred Van Giesen (online) and Kepa Zentz (in person) described the club's cultural and youth programming.
- BF25-37: Approval of OHA funding for a Hoʻakoʻakoʻa Lāhu event sponsorship to the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts for the 48th annual Na Hoku Hano Hano Awards (06/21/2025) — approved for $15,000. Testifier: Kalena Parrish, president of the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts; two trustees recused from the vote because of conflict with the organization.
Each approved item included staff paperwork and score sheets; staff noted occasional redactions of personal contact information in application copies and said they will refine intake and public packet formatting to reduce redactions in future materials.
Ending: Staff will process awards and follow up with organizers for post-event reports and publicity materials documenting OHA support.