OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS Chairman Clayton Hee is proposing OHA spend at least $5 million to create a temporary jobs program for any Hawaii resident laid off because of the downturn in the state economy. Hee proposes OHA
fund jobs for residents
hit by layoffs4 ousted OHA leaders refuse posts
By Pat Omandam
pomandam@starbulletin.com
The injection of capital into the economy will help increase spending power across the state while assisting native Hawaiian communities, Hee said.
For example, Hee pointed to the recent furlough of hundreds of employees at Hawaiian and Aloha airlines. Some of them are of Hawaiian ancestry, and temporary jobs could help pick up them and the economy, he said.
"The events regarding the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon are imposing stress to the overall Hawaii state economy," said Hee as he pitched his plan to the board.
"As a public trust for native Hawaiians, OHA is uniquely positioned to come to the aid of its beneficiaries and, in the process, assist with the overall state of Hawaii's economic challenges over the coming year," he said.
Under the plan, OHA would create an emergency recovery employment program to fund about 340 temporary $12-an-hour jobs lasting no more than six months. About 75 percent of the jobs would be dedicated to unemployed neighbor island residents.
Any Hawaii resident who is laid off because of the terrorist attacks would be eligible for the program. The program could be administered through OHA or delegated to a nonprofit agency.
Hee added OHA trust funds, which must be used to benefit native Hawaiians, can be used because these temporary employees will work with community-based, nonprofit groups dedicated to serving native Hawaiian communities.
The former state legislator, who has said he intends to run for lieutenant governor next year, said the idea is not a welfare program and was not something requested by Gov. Ben Cayetano, his longtime friend.
Hee said finding $5 million at a time when OHA's trust fund has dropped to just above $300 million and state ceded-land revenue payments have been stopped will mean some tough decisions for trustees.
New OHA Budget Chairman Charles Ota said yesterday that in these times of economic uncertainty, OHA will spend less and possibly cut programs. Hee has asked Ota to review the jobs program at the committee level and expects there will be revisions if and when it comes up for board approval.
"So your challenge is profound," Hee told trustees. "You have to find the money if you wish to send the money out, or you have to be prepared to experience greater losses at your own hands."
"I encourage you to look at OHA as part of the solution."
Office of Hawaiian Affairs
