Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Cip Grants topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
OHA committee approves framework for $5 million CIP grant program to support Native Hawaiian communities
Summary
The OHA Committee on Budget and Finance approved a revised Capital Improvement Project (CIP) grant process expanding eligibility to state and county agencies as well as nonprofits; the biennium allocation is about $5 million and individual awards may be requested up to $1 million. The vote was 5–2 with 1 abstention.
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ Committee on Budget and Finance on Dec. 17 approved a revised framework for a Capital Improvement Project (CIP) grant program that will guide application review and awards across the FY2026–2027 biennium.
The committee approved the motion to adopt the CIP process by roll call, with the chair announcing the motion passed by a 5–2 vote with one abstention. The administration said about $5,000,000 is available in the biennium budget to award, with applicants eligible to request up to $1,000,000.
Grants manager Chantelle Belay told trustees the item before them was a revision to materials presented in October and that the primary change expands eligibility beyond nonprofit organizations to include state and county government agencies. “At that time, it was limited to nonprofit organizations. So based on feedback during the meeting that day, we also, now have included, state and county government agencies as well,” Belay said.
Trustees asked how recommendations would be produced and how the process would guard against favoritism. Administration representatives described an external evaluation panel — generally three subject-matter experts — who perform independent scoring and then meet to reconcile differences. Belay said panels receive a modest honorarium for the voluntary review work.
On award limits and integration with OHA budgeting, administration said awards will be competitive and aligned to OHA’s strategic priorities. “We have about $5,000,000 in our biennium budget to be awarded, so we do have a cap on what the budget will allow,” an administration spokesperson said. Trustees were told that recommendations from the external panel and staff will be returned to the board as action items with supporting scoring data for final approval.
Trustees suggested administration consult legislative budget officials about best practices for capital project evaluation; administration said it has reviewed legislative processes and will consider further outreach.
The committee’s approval establishes the scoring and award recommendation process and authorizes staff to proceed with the competitive solicitation and external evaluator steps described in the action item. The board will see recommended awards in future action items with the individual scoring for each application.
