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OHA presents $6.78M charter-school investment, $6.1M emergency relief and pushes for consultation on expiring military leases
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Summary
At a Dec. 11 Waimanalo meeting, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs outlined major FY26–27 investments in Hawaiian-focused charter schools, emergency relief spending for federal shutdown impacts, and said it will press for Native Hawaiian consultation as multiple military leases approach expiration (2028–2031).
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs told residents in Waimanalo on Dec. 11 that its FY26–27 biennium budget prioritized direct investments in Hawaiian-focused education, emergency relief and locally focused programs while preparing to press for community consultation on expiring military leases.
"Our biennium budget for FY '26, fiscal year 26 and '27, made its steepest investment in Hawaiian-focused charter schools and to the tune of $6,780,000," Interim Administrator Summer Silva said during a presentation to OHA's Oahu trustees and community attendees. Silva listed program awards for the next two years and said OHA reduced compliance requirements for grantees to give schools more autonomy.
Silva also described targeted grants for youth and vulnerable populations: Malama Honua received $353,000; a Keiki wellness program received $500,000; and the Mana Maoli/Mana Mele youth project received $300,000 to support mentoring and curriculum. Silva said the RWAI Manalo vulnerable-populations program and a local health center each received roughly $500,000 for services aimed at preventing or mitigating homelessness among Native Hawaiians.
On emergency relief, Silva said the OHA board dedicated $6.1 million to an emergency assistance program established after a federal shutdown. "The $350 SNAP benefit is available for [kupuna] and $1,200 went to federal workers who missed paychecks," Silva said, adding that about $1,000,000 has been distributed so far and that more funding remains available.
Silva highlighted OHA's Papakilo digital archive (which she said saw about 1,500 Koʻolau-region users in FY25 and roughly 130,000 clicks), the board's reassessment of its 15‑year strategic plan with 288 Oahu survey participants, and a facility- and event-grants program that awarded over $200,000 on Oʻahu last year. Silva noted the next awards cycle opens Jan. 1, 2026, and closes Feb. 27, 2026, with event grants up to $15,000.
On land and sovereignty issues, Silva warned that multiple Army, Navy and Air Force leases on crown and government lands will expire between 2028 and 2031 (she named sites including the Kahuku Training Area, Kawailoa and Makua Military Reservation). "OHA is asserting and exercising its constitutional rights to ensure OHA is at the table of decision-making conversations," Silva said, urging community members to take a public survey and engage with OHA's online materials.
Trustees present thanked staff for the presentation and invited community members to ask questions. The meeting did not record any formal motions or votes related to the budget or lease strategy during the session; trustees signaled intent to continue consultation and outreach.
What happens next: OHA said it will publish the strategic-plan reassessment results in February and maintain the online military-lease information tab while soliciting community feedback. Residents seeking program or grant details were directed to OHA staff and oha.org for application timelines and supports.
