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OHA committee adopts staff positions on matrices across policy areas; multiple motions pass by roll call
Summary
At its March 5, 2025 meeting the Committee on Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment approved staff recommendations for multiple bill matrices (Matrices 1–9), including positions on public land trust, burial councils, housing, health, education, economic development, and HRS chapter 6E; motions were passed by roll call.
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ Committee on Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment moved through a series of matrix votes on March 5, 2025, adopting staff recommendations on bills across policy areas. The committee voted by roll call to approve staff positions for matrices covering public land trust matters, burial council and HRS chapter 6E matters, Native Hawaiian housing, health, education, economic development, and other categories.
Votes at a glance (motions recorded in the committee minutes):
- Approve minutes of the Feb. 5, 2025 committee meeting — approved (6 yes, 0 no, 1 absent). - Adopt staff positions on bills naming OHA (Matrix 2) — approved (7 yes, 0 no). - Adopt staff positions on Public Land Trust bills (Matrix 3) — approved (7 yes, 0 no). - Adopt staff positions on natural resources/traditional practices (Matrix 4) — approved (7 yes, 0 no). - Adopt staff positions on Native Hawaiian housing (Matrix 5) — approved (7 yes, 0 no). - Adopt staff positions on Native Hawaiian health (Matrix 6) — approved (7 yes, 0 no). - Adopt staff positions on Native Hawaiian education (Matrix 7) — approved (7 yes, 0 no). - Adopt staff positions on Native Hawaiian economic development (Matrix 8) — approved (7 yes, 0 no). - Adopt staff positions on HRS chapter 6E / burial councils (Matrix 9) — approved (8 yes, 0 no).
Each motion was moved and seconded as reflected in the meeting record and approved by roll-call; several roll-calls recorded a unanimous “aye” among trustees present. Where the transcript recorded specific movers and seconders, those names are recorded in the formal motion entries in the committee minutes.
Why it matters: The committee’s votes formalize OHA’s positions for testimony and advocacy during the 2025 legislative session. Adoption of staff positions determines whether OHA will support, oppose, or monitor bills across areas that affect beneficiaries, cultural protections, and agency responsibilities.
The committee asked staff to include resource-request details in future matrix descriptions (so trustees can see what a resolution or action would require of OHA) and to report back on hearings and any changes to bill language.
