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OHA staff warn of grants and sponsorship backlog; board approves Prince Kuhio and Molokai festival sponsorships
Summary
Administration told trustees that 35 purchase requests remain and 11 could lapse by June if not converted to purchase orders; trustees approved two Prince Kuhio festival sponsorships for Oʻahu and Molokaʻi and pressed administration to move remaining grants and contracts forward.
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs administration told trustees on Feb. 20 that dozens of outstanding purchase requests and delayed grants put a material amount of funding at risk of lapsing, and the board approved two event sponsorships for Prince Kūhiō commemorations on Oʻahu and Molokaʻi.
Summary of approvals
- Waianae Coast Community Foundation — $9,000 for the sixth annual Prince Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole festival on March 22, 2025. The board approved the sponsorship by roll call vote (7 yes).
- Hoʻolehua Homesteaders Association — $1,500 for the Prince Kūhiō event on Molokaʻi on March 22, 2025. The board approved the sponsorship by roll call vote (7 yes); Trustee Lindsey seconded the motion.
Why it matters: administration said a batch of outstanding purchase requests (PRs) and contracts—some approved in previous budgets—have not been converted into purchase orders (POs) and risk expiring. At least one administration official urged the board that converting PRs to POs before June is a priority to ensure funds reach intended community recipients.
Administration’s briefing and numbers
Kehaopuʻu (COO) briefed trustees on sponsorships and grants and identified 35 open PRs; he said 11 of those total roughly $1.6 million and “if not converted to POs by June will lapse,” and urged work to convert eligible PRs to POs and complete procurement and contracting steps.
Administration described its current capacity constraints: the grants team has three grants officers managing 80-plus grants; multiple vacancies have required temporary hires and cross‑division assistance. Administration said three of six sponsorship PRs from a prior biennium can be paid immediately once procurement converts PRs to POs; for other awards staff must gather missing documentation or confirm event details.
Board direction and next steps
Trustees asked that administration produce an updated schedule for converting at-risk PRs into POs and recommended short-term staffing support as needed to prevent lapsed funds. Administration said it would provide updates and aims to process the top grants for April start dates and to present a broader status update at a future board meeting.
Community testimony
Two members of the public testified in support of community events and asked OHA to be present in the community beyond funding. Testifier Germaine Myers urged OHA to increase on-the-ground engagement in West Oʻahu and Molokaʻi events to strengthen ties with beneficiaries.
Ending note
Trustees approved the two festival sponsorships and directed administration to accelerate procurement work so funded community programs can draw down awarded amounts before the fiscal-year deadlines.
