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OHA staff outline modernization plan for Hawaiian Registry program; propose equipment and system upgrades
Summary
OHA staff reported that the Hawaiian Registry Program is operating on an outdated, largely paper‑based system, serving roughly 41,000 registrants. Trustees were told staff will pursue system upgrades, add printing machines for island offices and remove the five‑year renewal requirement to speed processing.
Office of Hawaiian Affairs staff told trustees on March 20 that the Hawaiian Registry Program (HRP) is operating on aging systems and limited staffing and that administration plans upgrades and modest equipment purchases to improve service.
Program background and current state Benefits‑services manager Ilima (full name reported in the meeting packet) explained that OHA’s registry is intended to document native Hawaiian ancestry and that the program—created in the early 2000s—has registrants worldwide. The registry currently lists roughly 41,000 people, staff said. The application process requires a birth certificate showing ancestry and an ID; applicants must submit paperwork by email or mail under the current process because the registration system is not an online, fillable form and the agency lacks a modern upload workflow.
Staff said there is no dedicated HRP position (the role was eliminated in 2021) and printing/issuance machines that once existed in multiple island offices were centralized, reducing outreach capacity. OHA staff described limited ability to do community sign‑ups at conventions and events under the current workflow.
Planned changes discussed - System upgrade: staff said they will work with the vendor (JEVCO) to modernize the registry, including a web‑fillable application and document upload capability (budget request to support the upgrade has been placed). - Equipment: staff proposed adding printing machines to island offices to support in‑person registration; trustees discussed a budget item for machines at about $6,000 each and recommended prioritizing locations (Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island and possibly Kauai) and mobile deployment for events. - Renewals: staff proposed eliminating the five‑year renewal requirement, and instead allowing registrants to update contact information when appropriate; the board was supportive of reducing duplication in processing. - Outreach and incentives: public comments and trustees suggested adding incentives (discounts with local businesses), partnerships with community groups and a QR code on OHA communications to drive registrations.
Why it matters: staff said HRP cards are used by beneficiaries to qualify for programs that require demonstrated native Hawaiian ancestry (for example some workforce or housing programs, and partner programs such as those run by Alu Like) and that a more responsive registry both improves access and helps OHA better understand beneficiary geography and service needs.
Next steps Staff said they will present a detailed upgrade plan and budget estimates to trustees and will pursue options for additional machines and mobile registration at community events. Trustees directed staff to include data‑collection considerations in the upgrade (for example the ability to report registrant counts by island or district) and to coordinate with communications on outreach, including the use of QR codes and event sign‑ups.
Speakers on this item: Benefits services manager Ilima (presenter), Kapuhana (OHA CEO), and public commenter Jermaine Myers (Nanakuli community member).
