I added a reading on the Admission Act and ceded lands as, once again, they are a hot topic in the political arena. There are at least three main positions: (1) give some ceded lands to OHA to hold in trust for the Hawaiian government, assuming the Akaka Bill passes; (2) don't give ceded lands to OHA as it is not the right recipient, being a state agency; and (3) don't give ceded lands to OHA, they are to be kept in trust for all five purposes.
Richard Borreca, Star Bulletin political reporter, writes that "The proposed settlement announced Friday by OHA and Gov. Linda Lingle would resolve the OHA claims to the former Hawaiian monarchy lands used by the state by promising that the state would give OHA $15.1 million a year, plus nearly $200 million worth of state property including the resort property on Banyan Drive in Hilo and portions of Kakaako and Kalaeloa." SB, January 22, 2008 (full article at http://starbulletin.com/2008/01/22/news/story03.html)
Is this a good deal for the State? for Hawaiians? For non-Hawaiians? Should OHA hold out for a better deal? Is OHA the appropriate agency to be dealing with this issue? Is this the right time?
So many questions, so many truly controversial answers.
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I believe that the State of Hawaii is responsible for the mismanagement of the "ceded lands". The solution will not be simple due to the duration of the mismanagement, the financial issues/revenues received by the State both past and present, and the lack of accountability by the State for its fiduciary failure in this trust issue. The amount of land at issue is a continuing question. Mr. Van Dyke's latest book addresses this issue of "ceded lands". Yet to be read. The book looks to head the top of a current reading list. A question I have concerns the accountability of the Department of Education (DOE). They are quick to note that their student population is in large part comprised of native Hawaiian children. But I wonder what percentage of "ceded land" revenues is allocated to the DOE and spent on native Hawaiian children?
The solution is out there but people need to hear the facts (without their own biases on both sides). I believe that if we can hear the facts and work at it we can reach a manageable solution. Pointing our that Mr. Cayatano & Mr. Hee speak of as "the better offer" and the behind the doors dealing of the Lingle offer both parts failed to acknowledge that the people involved needed to be heard and educated. Maybe this is an issue for ConCon.:-)
wwnrd
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