HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-04-03 Letter to Donovan M. Dela Cruz and Gilbert S.C. Keith Agaran re HB 1999, HD 2, SD 1 Relating to Training Courses on Native Hawaiian and Hawaiian Rights4 OF
Wil Okabe
Nlemaging Direclor
liarra" Kim
Barbara I Koissow
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Deputy,,Vluneigxing I)iredor
tett of f r a r
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 o Hilo, Hawaii 96720 (808) 961-8211 o Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 74,-5044 Ane Keohok5lole Hwy., Bldg C o Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i 96740
(8018) 323-4444 * Fax (808) 323-4440
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Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Chair
Committee on Ways and Means
Hawal'i State Capitoll, Room 211
Honolullu, H! 96813
Senator GilbertKeith-Agaran, e-Ch,air
Comm"ttee on Ways and Means
Hawai'i State Caplitol, Room 211
Honiolulu,I HI 968,13
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4" ot 1 ot A a& 2 A FAI Ah Aft I lLill M��
R e: HB 199% HDi 2, SD1 1 Relat'I'ng to Tral"ni*ng Courses on Native Hawafi
and Hawafilan RmIghts
Hearming D:atem. 04/05/2�018 — 10:30 arn; Conference Room 211
I am often reluctant to enidors,ei any mandate, espeic,ilally an unfunded mandate
that will impact county govern�mentsi., However, there are few things as i�mpoirtant as
fosterinig a, better, understanding of Hawaii's First Nation, and I have heard great thi�ng�s
about the OH�A training course.
Therefore, I support the concept behind HB 1999, AD 2, SD 11. MoweverI I thilnk
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there needs to be more deta,il. For exam, ple, what is the time comimlitment that each
plarticipa,nt must make.? It would seem that if trainilin�g is mandateld, there should also be
a mandate that the course be no more than a specified number of hours.,
I would also ask that a provision be made to diter the courses on the neighbor
islands so that travel will, not become a barrier to, participation.
Third, it is not clear what happens if a "mandate" is violated. Suppose a duly
elected County Council member fails, to take the training for some reasoni; what is the
consequencei?
I realize that this ma,ndate is a,l'ready on the books for a number of officials,,, and
there is no statutory con'seqiuence specified, for failing to, participate. Howe!ver, I would
I i stance, a, controversial ruling by a Planning Commission could be
suggest that,, for in
COL111ty of llawai'i is an Equal OpportUllity l)rovider and E111,1ployer.
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April 3, 2018
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challenged on the basis that one or more Commissioners should have been disqualified
from serving beca,use of failure to attend the mandatory training course.
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Finally, I found the testimony in the Labor Committee datd February 13 from
Maul Council Cha,ir Mike White important and persuasivei. I hope you will address th
specific concerns he raises. I
I must suggest that this blill not pass in its present form,.
Respectfully submitted,
Harry Kim
Mayor, County of Hawaili
Count.y of Haw ai'i is an FIqual Opportunity Provider and L"111ployer.