House Concurrent Resolution 224 Requests that the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to partner with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and other entities to provide support services to encourage successful farming on agricultural and pastoral lands

HONOLULU—On Wednesday, April 13, 2011, the members of the House Committee on Finance voted to pass unamended, House Concurrent Resolution 224. Introduced by Representative Mele Carroll, House Concurrent Resolution 224 calls for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) to partner with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and other entities to provide support services to encourage successful farming on DHHL agricultural and pastoral lands.

A 2010 study by the Center for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) revealed that although there are nearly twenty thousand applicants for agricultural and pastoral leases on homestead land, fewer than sixteen hundred have actually been awarded leases. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has proven that partnerships with other entities, such as the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, can be beneficial in expanding its educational and technical assistance programs.

With the augmentation of support services by partnering with other entities, such as the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the increase in the number of successful homesteaders in agricultural enterprises can be accelerated. With the gainful knowledge and training in commercial and subsistence agricultural production, best management practices, marketing, financial, and business skills, more homesteaders can put be in the best possible position to succeed.

Rep. Mele Carroll said, “This legislation will not only fortify efforts that will nobly benefit current lessees of Hawaiian Home Lands, but also those who are humbly waiting the awarding of future leases. The passing of House Concurrent Resolution 224 helps bring to the forefront the importance and need for the establishment of partnerships that will promote the success of our Hawaiian homesteaders. These partnerships will provide a solid foundation for that success to continue and build on.”

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House Committee on Finance passes House Concurrent Resolution 225. Requests Office of Hawaiian Affairs to study feasibility of establishing Kanaka villages for homeless native Hawaiians

HONOLULU—On Wednesday, April 13, 2011, the members of the House Committee on Finance passed House Concurrent Resolution 225 as is. Introduced by Representative Mele Carroll, House Concurrent Resolution 225 requests that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) study the feasibility of establishing Kanaka villages for the homeless population whom are, or could possibly be, beneficiaries of Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL).

The purpose of this resolution is to address the disproportionate representation of native Hawaiians among the State’s homeless (nearly 40%) by requesting that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to conduct a feasibility study of establishing a kanaka village for those native Hawaiians that are homeless in Hawai’i. For the purposes of this Resolution, “kanaka village” means a community where native Hawaiians who are homeless, may live in tents or other approved types of shelter and subsist off the land utilizing traditional Hawaiian methods of sustainability as they progress towards home ownership.

Rep. Mele Carroll stated, “The passing of House Concurrent Resolution 225 by the Committee on Finance is a significant sign that the legislature is taking measures into hand by improving the plight of Hawaii’i’s homeless population. This critical issue requires our utmost attention as a community, to not only protect and insure the safety of our people, but to lead by example in creating safe havens for those not supported by Hawaii’i’s social safety net. House Concurrent Resolution 225 calls for the feasibility study of a program to provide for a native Hawaiian village area on Hawaiian Homelands where our native Hawaiians whom are homeless can reside without fear of harassment and eviction that is so prevalent in dealing with the homeless in Hawai’i. This is also an attempt to fulfill the Hawaiian Home Lands Act where the rehabilitation of our people can take place.”

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House Finance Committee passes House Concurrent Resolution 315 requesting the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to study the feasibility of jointly establishing a native Hawaiian technology park

HONOLULU—On Wednesday, April 13, 2011, the members of the House Committee on Finance voted to pass House Concurrent Resolution 315 as is. Introduced by Representative Mele Carroll, House Concurrent Resolution 315 calls for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to convene a task force to study the feasibility of establishing a native Hawaiian research, science, and technology park.

The development of a research, science, and technology park is an important step in creating and sustaining a vibrant high technology industry in the State. There are a number of native Hawaiian entrepreneurs who have the desire, but lack the necessary resources and technical support to develop projects in the research, science, and technology fields.

A native Hawaiian research, science, and technology park would be a crucial foundational component for the development of native Hawaiian entrepreneurs. It would greatly assist in training for the inevitable business start-up challenges by providing invaluable resources and professional expertise and guidance.

In addition to the assistance of native Hawaiian business organizations with the potential or willingness to participate, House Concurrent Resolution 315 also provides for the identification of qualified personnel to administer and effectuate the objectives of the project.

Rep. Mele Carroll said, “I am very elated that my colleagues in the Finance Committee have passed House Concurrent Resolution 315. This resolution goes to the heart of implementing a much needed facility by studying the feasibility of establishing a technology park that will help train and guide our future generations of entrepreneurs by positioning them to be at the forefront of technological development on a worldwide scale.”

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