Hawaiian programs benefit everyone
In today's
Advertiser,
OHA Trustee Dante Keala
Carpenter
replies
to an earlier letter
by Earl
Akakaki, in which he attacked the various
bills in the legislature that relate to Hawaiian programs. Carpenter points out
that Arakaki "is the lead plaintiff in the ongoing lawsuit to extinguish
programs dedicated to bettering the lives of Native Hawaiians." And says: "if he
wins his court case, Arakaki v.
Lingle, Hawai'i taxpayers will lose
some $70 million a year that the federal government grants for programs that
help Native Hawaiians. These are the result of over 100 congressional statutes
that provide for the special status of Native Hawaiians. These programs help
educate and train people, and provide affordable housing and healthcare.
According to a recent policy brief by the nonprofit Council for Native Hawaiian
Advancement, using the multiplier effect translates that figure into $147
million in sales, $69 million in wages and salaries and more than 3,100 jobs in
the state economy, most of which are held by non-Hawaiians."
Posted: Mon - March 21, 2005 at 08:18 AM