HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2499

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to native hawaiian Affairs.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The departments and agencies listed in section 2 of this Act shall provide grants to federal tax-exempt non-profit organizations that have previously received government assistance to support their organizational mission and also possess at least twenty years of providing assistance and support to Native Hawaiian communities.

     The grants shall be tailored toward improving Native Hawaiian communities and culture through various assistance programs, including but not limited to programs that offer food sustainability; development of renewable infrastructure; Native Hawaiian historic preservation; development of a mill to process ulu and taro; business training, entrepreneurship, and mentoring; farming; education; cultural training; and environmental management.

SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $15,700,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 to be allocated to the following departments and agencies and used for grants pursuant to section 1 of this Act for the following programs:

(1)  The department of agriculture:

(A)  The sum of $690,000; provided that the sum is used to expand infrastructure, increase food production, and develop the economic stability of loko ia statewide through hatchery and solar power programs;

(B)  The sum of $100,000; provided that the sum is used for a statewide kalo farming needs assessment; and

(C)  The sum of $10,000,000; provided that the sum is used for the development of a mill to process ulu and taro;

(2)  The department of business, economic development, and tourism:

(A)  The sum of $500,000; provided that the sum is used for the Pop-up Makeke virtual marketplace that supports local artisans and businesses to adapt to e-commerce;

(B)  The sum of $250,000; provided that the sum is used for a West Oahu Innovation Center that is a physical co-working space and an entrepreneur and resource center that provides workshops, counseling, loan assistance, and broadband access;

(C)  The sum of $200,000; provided that the sum is used for culture training programs with military personnel, small businesses, and nonprofit organization; and

(D)  The sum of $2,500,000; provided that the sum is used for community-based tourism management, including tourism impacts on the natural and cultural resources of local communities;

(3)  The department of labor and industrial relations the sum of $920,000; provided that the sum is used for staffing, cohorts, and software needs of the Hawaiian trades academy and Kuhana small business program that prepares individuals and businesses for economic success and self-sufficiency; and

(4)  The department of land and natural resources:

(A)  The sum of $330,000; provided that the sum is used for the repatriation and reburials of Native Hawaiians nationally and internationally; and

(B)  The sum of $210,000; provided that the sum is used for Iolani Palace operations, maintenance, and repairs.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department or agency listed above for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2022.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Grants; Native Hawaiian Communities; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires certain departments and agencies to provide grants to tax-exempt non-profit organizations that have experience and expertise in supporting and advancing Native Hawaiian communities.

 

 

 

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