Anahola, Kauai – The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) and the nonprofit Homestead Community Development Corporation (HCDC) executed a homestead benefits agreement memorializing the partnership struck to build Hawaii’s largest utility scale solar project on 53 acres of Hawaiian Home Lands. Located on Kauai’s east side, the Anahola Solar project is anticipated to produce 12 megawatt replacing significant oil generated energy for the cooperative.
“This is a historic agreement on a renewable energy project that partners the local utility, Hawaiians and our land trust,” said Aunty Lorraine Rapozo, the President of the Anahola Hawaiian Homes Association, and an HCDC board member. “This is the first time that our local homestead leaders were at the table to bring a significant renewable energy project to our lands – something that will benefit all of Kauai too. We mahalo former DHHL Director Alapaki Nahale-a for his support and belief in our ability to work together.”
Teofilo “Phil” Tacbian, KIUC chairman of the board, and David Bissell, KIUC CEO, welcomed Aunty Lorraine Rapozo and Robin Danner, HCDC Board President, to execute the final agreement in the KIUC board room in Lihue. The work the parties agreed on includes but is not limited to the formation of a solar project advisory committee for the life of the 25 year project, annual lectures at the local public charter school on renewable energy technologies and financing, local hire and local subcontracting outreach, market value land revenues to the Hawaiian Home Land Trust to promote its mission of homesteading and economic development, and annual payments to the Anahola homestead fund to support cultural, educational and other community based programs.
“KIUC is committed to achieving its goal of generating 50 percent of Kaua’i’s energy needs from renewable sources like solar by 2023,” Tacbian said. “This is a substantial step toward that goal and also a great partnership that provides educational and economic benefits to the Hawaiian community.”
Hawaiian Home Lands, where the project is located, is held in trust by the state of Hawaii Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) with oversight by the federal Department of Interior. The land trust was created by the U.S. Congress in 1920, through enactment of the Hawaii an Homes Commission Act (HHCA) to provide homesteading and mercantile lands to Native Hawaiians.
For more information about the Anahola Solar Project, contact HCDC at (808) 855-2105 or info@ahha96703.org.
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The Officers and Board of the Pi’ihonua Hawaiian Homes Community Association is proud to inform you that we have now achieved the goal of having every home in our community belong to the association!! 100% PARTICIPATION! At least one person from each household has taken the opportunity to join and support the PHHCA. We are happy that we have taken our first baby steps to get organized and recruited active participating members of PHHCA.
Our first 2012 membership meeting will be held at the County of Hawaii Carvalho Park near our homestead this 4th of July. We plan to have our meeting first with some invited guests from the other East Hawaii Homestead Community Associations to participate with us.
After the meeting, we plan to have a BBQ with games and prizes in order to keep our members there and to really get to know each other besides “Hi & Bye”.
We would like to acknowledge Mele Spencer, KPFA President, Pat Kahawailoaa, KCA President, Paula, President & Shirley at Maku’u Farmers and Kelly Lincoln, President of Panaewa Homestead for encouraging and and helping us get to this point.
In any event, we just wanted to inform you that we are coming together and building strong bonds with each other in the community as well as the other Homestead communities in East Hawaii.
Since August 2011, the Hawaiian Homes Commission Ad Hoc Committee on Administrative Rules has considered a series of policy issues related to the implementation of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act through rules. The commission plans to continue this process on a series of other policy issues.
On April 23, 2012, at the regular meeting of the commission, the Committee on Administrative Rules reported it would consider and take action on a proposed policy on diversifying homestead products (like rentals and multifamily units) at its next regular meeting in May. The committee subsequently deferred the consideration and action on this proposed policy (so it will not be considered in May), but the committee is seeking comments on this issue.
Beneficiaries and the general public will be permitted a 14-day comment period to provide input on the preliminary recommendation(s). This is an initial effort to receive basic input and ideas on a preliminary policy recommendation and is not a substitute for beneficiary consultation (which will occur once rule amendments are drafted).
Please provide your comments through the feedback form below by 4:30 p.m. on May 28, 2012.
HONOLULU — Governor Neil Abercrombie today announced the appointment of a new Director of the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) and a change at the Public Safety Department (PSD).
Department of Public Safety
To begin the implementation phase of the Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI), Governor Abercrombie will appoint Ted Sakai as the new Director for Public Safety, effective June 1, 2012. Mr. Sakai held the position during the Cayetano Administration. Jodie Maesaka-Hirata, the current Director, will take on the role of Deputy Director of Corrections, which was left vacant by Joe Booker who moved to the mainland.
“This move came at the suggestion from Jodie who is dedicated to seeing the Justice Reinvestment Initiative implemented,” said Governor Abercrombie. “Jodie has shown true leadership by having the desire to put the public interest first, and that meant committing herself to the Corrections area of Public Safety where she has a wealth of knowledge and experience. With Ted as Director, I am confident that we will accomplish exactly what Jodie and our team have in mind, which is to bring our inmates who are housed on the mainland back home and to move the JRI program forward.”
For nearly 27 years, Ted Sakai, 65, worked in a variety of executive positions in the State’s corrections system. From 1998 to 2002, he served as the Director of Public Safety. In that position, he provided leadership to the corrections and law enforcement entities. Among other assignments, he also served as Administrator of corrections programs and as the Warden of the Waiawa Correctional Facility, where he tightened security (no escapes for over two years) and expanded treatment programs for inmates. His accomplishments include the implementation of substance abuse and sex offender treatment programs for inmates; development of accountability systems for managers; development of strategic plans for the department; coordination of a multiagency approach for substance abuse treatment; implementing programs to minimize suicides by inmates; and developing policies and programs to reduce abuse of inmates by correctional staff.
Mr. Sakai stated, “I’ve been following what’s taken place regarding the Justice Reinvestment Initiative and I believe it provides a great opportunity to bring positive change to the system. It will take a lot of hard work but it is clear this Administration is committed to seeing it through.”
Ms. Maesaka-Hirata described Ted Sakai as a “mentor.” “Ted is a true public servant and I have witnessed his leadership first hand. With the passage of landmark legislation this past session, I saw an opportunity to focus my attention on Corrections for the betterment of our State’s Criminal Justice System and I am looking forward to serving in this role,” said Ms. Maesaka-Hirata.”Overall our goal is to create a mechanism to return inmates from mainland facilities safely to Hawai’i's community. This will reduce Hawai’i's need for contractual Mainland Correctional Facility beds and reinvesting monies within our State.”
The Legislature passed two JRI measures (SB 2776 and HB 2515) that are aimed at making the State’s criminal justice system more efficient and improving accountability. But most importantly, these initiatives increase public safety through evidence-based policy models proven in 14 other states that reduce recidivism and invest savings back into community programs and supervision.
New DHHL Director
Jobie Masagatani, newly-appointed Director, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
Today, the Governor also named a Director to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Jobie Masagatani will fill the seat being left vacant by Alapaki Nahale-a. Ms. Masagatani previously served as DHHL Deputy Director from 1995 to 2002.
“I am deeply committed to the Native Hawaiian community and am very familiar with DHHL’;s internal operations, funding, unique challenges and ambitious mission,” said Ms. Masagatani. “I am looking forward to working with Deputy Director Michelle Kauhane and the dedicated staff who share a passion for service to Native Hawaiians and all of Hawai’i.”
Ms. Masagatani leaves her position at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) where she is Special Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer. Prior to serving at OHA, she was an assistant to the President and CEO of The Queen’s Health Systems where she facilitated development of the strategic plan to address Native Hawaiian health. She also previously served as a Land Investment Analyst for Kamehameha Schools.
Governor Abercrombie stated, “Jobie worked in both the public and private sectors as well as with federal agencies on improving conditions for Native Hawaiians. She understands the challenges and the importance of engaging beneficiaries and is ready to hit the ground running.”
Ms. Masagatani, 47, earned a master’s degree in public affairs/urban and regional planning from Princeton University. She earned a bachelor of science degree in education from Northwestern University. A graduate of Kamehameha Schools, Ms. Masagatani is a resident of Kailua.
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For more information, contact: Donalyn Dela Cruz, Deputy Director of Communications, (808) 586-0012
Dedication Held for New Keaukaha Homestead Home Built by Hawaiʻi Community College Students
DHHL-HawCC partnership results in 45th home for Hawaiian home lands beneficiaries
HILO, Hawaiʻi – A home built by students in the Hawai‘i Community College (HawCC) Model Home Program was dedicated today in the Hawaiian homestead community of Keaukaha.
“Today we celebrate the completion of a custom-built home, and the beginning of a new life of homeownership for a Hawaiian home lands beneficiary,” said Hawaiian Homes Commission Chairman Alapaki Nahale-a. “This collaboration helps us fulfil our mission of returning Native Hawaiians to the land, while providing real-world experience to our community college students.”
A traditional Hawaiian ceremony called moku ka piko, meaning the cutting of the umbilical cord, was performed to initiate the new home. The symbolic piko was made of plant materials gathered by the HawCC students and woven together, with each plant possessing a specific reason for its use in the piko. For example, the kukui represents enlightenment and the koa represents strength.
The three-bedroom, two-bath home was built at a cost to the future homeowner of $199,935. Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiary Denice Keliʻikoa is the prospective homeowner for the home. She has been on the Hawaiian homes waiting list since January 1986.
The Pakele Lane home utilizes energy-efficient technology including a solar water heater system, a 4 KW Photovolatic system, and Energy Star qualified appliances. The home also includes custom-built cabinets, doors, and windows.
The Model Home program at HawCC provides instruction in drafting, welding, carpentry, electrical, and landscaping. HawCC coordinates the painting, plumbing, carpeting, and drywall subcontracting work. The residential dwelling was the 45th home to be built under the partnership between DHHL and HawCC.
Under the agreement, the DHHL provided space and funding which allowed the students to acquire on-the-job skills in home construction, while also helping the DHHL fulfill its mission of returning native Hawaiians to the land. Since the Model Home program’s inception in 1965, over 3,640 drafting, welding, carpentry, electrical and agricultural students have participated in the program.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Blaine Fergerstrom
Acting Public Information Officer
Hawaiian Home Lands
808-620-9512 blaine.c.fergerstrom@hawaii.gov
P.O. Box 646, Anahola, Hawai`i 96703 ● 808.855.2105
