Nū Hou - Newsbriefs

By Ka Wai Ola Staff

Just say no

About 400 people gathered at the state Capitol May 7 to cheer on Republican Gov. Linda Lingle as she vetoed three tax bills, which Democrats said were necessary to avoid layoffs and avoid raising the general excise tax in the face of a $2.1 billion shortfall. Democratic lawmakers "can't tax their way out of this economic crisis," Lingle said to cheers. Her efforts were soon undone. The next day, state lawmakers over-rode her vetoes, allowing the bills to become law. "I think by the end of the day the Legislature will look good because they were responsible in balancing their budget," said House Speaker Calvin Say just before Lingle's veto. In the crowd, Kalei Lyman, a hotel manager with the employee-owned Aqua Hotels and Resorts, applauded Lingle's veto of the increased hotel-room tax, which he said would hurt tourism and jobs and trickle-down to the entire state. "If I'm not making money, how am I going to spend it at L&L (Drive-Inn) and how am I going to fly to Hilo to go see the Merrie Monarch Festival," he asked. "It affects everybody." The other two over-rides: raises conveyance taxes on real property purchases of more than $2 million and investment properties, with percentages of the money directed to Land Conservation, Natural Area Reserve and Rental Housing Trust funds; and increases income tax for those earning more than $150,000, among other high earners. All the laws will sunset by 2015, when lawmakers foresee an economic turnaround. Pictured with Lingle from left are state Sen. Sam Slom, state Rep. Gene Ward (behind Lingle) and Eddie Flores Jr., president of L&L Drive Inn. - Photo: Lisa Asato

Native writers eligible for $60,000 in awards

The Alaska Federation of Natives is launching a new national writing competition to encourage native thinkers to share their insights on the challenges and opportunities raised in the current economic and political climates.

"Native Insight: Thoughts on Recession, Recovery and Opportunity" offers a total of $60,000 to be distributed among three Alaska Native winners and three Native Hawaiian/Lower 48 winners. Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and American Indians of all ages are eligible to enter.

Essays of 500 to 1,600 words are due Sept. 15. Winners will be announced in October, and winning essays will have the opportunity to be published in native journals and magazines across the United States.

Essays must address at least one of the three writing prompts: how the native community can support economic renewal, what it will take for the American economy to rebound, and what the American leadership can do to jump start recovery.

AFN is partnering with the National Congress of American Indians and the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement to reach native communities across the nation.

"Native communities have a wealth of knowledge and experience from engaging in commerce and trade over thousands of years," said Robin Puanani Danner, CNHA president and CEO. "The 'Native Insight' competition is a dynamic platform that allows the ingenuity of our people to be shared."

For information, call the Alaska Federation of Natives at 907-274-3611 or email compete@nativeinsight.org.

Forum features native perspective on energy

A free forum on "Native Hawaiian Perspectives on Renewable Energy Development" will convene Wednesday, June 24, 6:30 p.m. at the Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa.

Discussion will focus on how to apply native traditions of stewardship to actions that will ensure a sustainable energy future for Hawai'i. Panelists, representing various fields of environmental, economic and cultural expertise, are: Michael L. Kaleikini, D. Noelani Kalipi, Davianna McGregor and Myron Thompson.

Others taking part in the discussion are: state Rep. Hermina Morita (D-Hanalei, Anahola, Kēalia, Kapa'a, Waipouli), Sen. Mike Gabbard (D-Waikele, Village Park, Royal Kunia, Makakilo, Kapolei, Kalaeloa, Honokai Hale, portions of Waipahu and Ko 'Olina), and Pono Shim. Moderator for the event will be Ramsay Taum, who serves in several capacities including host culture specialist at the UH School of Travel Industry Management. For information, visit outreach.hawaii.edu or call 956-8246.

Vocational scholarships open

The Hana Lima Scholarship Program of Alu Like Inc. is accepting applications for students enrolled in a vocational program during the 2009-2010 academic year. Submission deadline is July 3.

Eligible vocational programs include nursing, automotive technology, medical assisting, carpentry, cosmetology and administration of Justice. The Hana Lima Scholarship is a needs-based vocational education scholarship with preference given to nontraditional students, houseless people, individuals with disabilities, sole-income providers in family households and the previously incarcerated or former wards of the state.

Only students who are committed to a specific area of vocational education may qualify for this scholarship. Awards are subject to availability of funds and program eligibility requirements. For information, visit alulike.org or call Alu Like at 535-6782.

Application submitted for tax credits for charter schools

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement has submitted an
application to the U.S. Treasury Department for $50 million in New Market Tax Credits that could be used to help charter schools with construction of facilities.

"There are several charter schools that need facility funding very badly. An allocation of tax credits would assist with the construction of schools serving thousands of our 'ōpio," said Robin Puanani Danner, CNHA president and CEO.

The tax credit application was submitted in March for a total of $125 million, with $50 million dedicated to Native Hawaiian projects, according to CNHA.

The U.S. Treasury expects to announce the allocations from the Stimulus Bill in September 2009.

Bill aims to better manage aid to native groups

Hawai'i U.S. Sens. Daniel Inouye and Daniel joined Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska), in introducing legislation designed to better coordinate the delivery of federal economic aid to American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians.

Called the Native American Challenge Demonstration Project Act of 2009, the legislation would authorize the project at $20 million a year for five years beginning in fiscal year 2010. It also seeks to better manage the distribution of federal funds to tribal entities from across six federal agencies — the Departments of Commerce; Interior; Energy; Health and Human Services; Agriculture; and Housing and Urban Development.

"This unique demonstration project gives greater responsibility to native populations in determining and addressing their developmental needs, thereby increasing the likelihood of program success," Inouye said.

"This legislation recognizes (American Indians', Alaska Natives', and Native Hawaiians') unique needs and supports economic development opportunities that will lead to the creation of innovative, culturally appropriate, and sustainable solutions," Akaka said.

Under the demonstration project, eligible entities would enter into a 'Native Challenge' compact with the Department of Commerce. Recognizing the importance of self-determination and local decision-making, such compacts would be negotiated with tribal entities to establish a multi-year development plan, define clear development objectives and determine the responsibilities of each party.

Telescope draft EIS comments sought

A supplemental draft environmental impact statement to operate commercial vehicles in Haleakalā National Park during construction and operation of the proposed Advanced Technology Solar Telescope was released May 8 and is available online at atst.nso.edu/SDEIS. Comments must be received or postmarked by June 22 and sent to: Craig Foltz, ATST Program Manager, National Science Foundation, Division of Astronomical Sciences, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Room 1045, Arlington, VA 22230. Or, email him at cfoltz@nsf.gov.

Maui hearings on the SDEIS will be held June 3, 5-8 p.m., Cameron Center Auditorium, Wailuku; and June 4, 7-10 p.m., Hannibal Tavares Community Center, Pukalani.

Consultation meetings for public input under the National Historic Preservation Act will be held on Maui: June 8, 1-4 p.m. Kula Community Center, Kula; June 9, 10 a.m.-1p.m., Ha'ikū Community Center, Ha'ikū; June 10, 3-6 p.m., Maui Community College, Pilina Building, multipurpose room, Kahului. For information on the consultation meetings, contact Elizabeth Gordon at Haleakalā National Park at 808-572-4424 or Elizabeth_gordon@nps.gov. atst.nso.edu/node/563