The Hawaiian Homes Commission will meet in regularly scheduled session on Tues., Feb. 21 and Wed., Feb. 22. The Tues. meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. and the Wed. continuation begins at 8:30 a.m.  in Hale Pono’ī, Kapolei.

• Please see the Hawaiian Homes Commission 2012 Meetings page for agenda and more information

REPORT FROM OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS – HONOLULU, HAWAII – Two state senate committees have voted in favor of a proposal to resolve longstanding claims for past-due revenues owed to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs by transferring an estimated $200 million worth of land in Kaka‘ako Makai from the state to OHA.

The Governor’s proposed settlement would resolve claims for back rent for use of public land trust land from state airports, housing and hospitals.

The proposal would not affect any other claims against the state.

Trustees say they plan to use the revenues generated by the land to boost programs for Native Hawaiians such as scholarships, health and education initiatives.

The bill now goes to the Senate Judiciary committee for further consideration.  No hearing has yet been scheduled.

A companion bill was deferred by two state House committees last week.

House members said they would consider the Senate version of the bill once it is approved by Senators. Meanwhile, OHA continues its community outreach on the proposed settlement. Here’s the schedule for the remaining meetings:

Hāna, Maui
Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Helene Social Hall
174 Government Rd.

Kahului, Maui
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Maui Waena Intermediate School
795 Oneheʻe St.

Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi
Friday, February 17, 2012, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Kulana ʻOiwi Complex
600 Maunaloa Hwy.

Lānaʻi City, Lanaʻi
Saturday, February 18, 2012, 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Lānaʻi High and Intermediate School
555 Fraser Ave.

Wai’anae, Oʻahu
Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wai‘anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center
86-260 Farrington Highway

Pacific Business News

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

The Hawaii Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a case on Thursday before about 200 students at Wallace Rider Farrington High School in Honolulu.

February 14, 2012

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HAWAII – The National Foreclosure Settlement between the Federal government and the nation’s largest financial institutions has led to the launching of a free Independent Foreclosure Review (IFR) process that will compensate homeowners who may have been financially injured due to errors, misrepresentations or other deficiencies in their foreclosure process.   Federal Bank Regulators have required the free IFR process to be conducted by an independent third-party.

The IFR process was prompted by “robo-signing” scandals involving the nation’s largest banks in which bank employees signed thousands of documents and affidavits without verifying the information contained in the document or affidavit.  When the practice came to light in Fall 2010, four major banks, J.P. Morgan Chase, Ally Financial/GMAC, Bank of America and Wells Fargo all called a halt to foreclosure actions in 23 states. In the days following their announcements, Bank of America ceased foreclosures in all 50 states, while legislative bodies in states like Nevada passed legislation making the act of “robo-signing” a $5,000 felony charge.

“While Hawaii families will only receive limited compensation for the financial hardships they have had to endure, the Review gives us the opportunity to elevate the discussion about how our families and communities ensure future generations will be able to achieve and sustain the dream of homeownership,” said Jeff Gilbreath, Executive Director of Hawaiian Community Assets a nonprofit HUD housing counseling agency that provides free foreclosure prevention counseling through its statewide offices.  HCA is partnering with the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development to promote the free IFR process in Hawaii.

Homeowners whose primary residence was part of a foreclosure action between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010, and whose home loan was serviced by a participating servicer, may be eligible for a free IFR.  If the review finds that financial injury occurred, homeowners may receive compensation or other remedy.  To qualify, your mortgage loan would need to meet the initial eligibility criteria:

• ·        Your mortgage loan was serviced by one of the participating mortgage servicers.
• ·        Your mortgage loan was active in the foreclosure process between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010.
• ·        The property was your primary residence.

IFR applications must be completed and postmarked no later than April 30, 2012.

BEWARE – DO NOT PAY FOR AN INDEPENDENT FORECLOSURE REVIEW; THE FEDERALLY REGULATED PROCESS IS FREE OF CHARGE.

For more information or to request an application, families can call (toll-free) 1-888-952-9105 or visit www.independentforeclosurereview.com.

Washington, D.C. – The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) and the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) will begin accepting applications today for a housing fellowship program, which they have jointly created to provide fellows with the unique professional and educational experience of serving as full-time staff in the U.S. Congress. The fellowship was established to develop a pipeline of leaders who are dedicated to addressing the diverse housing and community development needs of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities.

“This effort will ultimately strengthen the voice of the AAPI communities throughout the United States,” said AREAA National Chair Kathy Tsao. “AREAA is proud to partner with APAICS to make this opportunity available and promote the development of AAPI leaders in the legislative process.”

Applicants must have a strong commitment to public service, the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, and must have demonstrated experience in the field of housing and community development. The AREAA Fellow will be placed in a congressional office and will work on housing and community development issues facing Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, along with other important issues facing the U.S. Congress. The fellow will also participate in special events hosted by APAICS and AREAA. The fellowship will be administered by APAICS and is sponsored by AREAA. The application and details are available online at http://bit.ly/AREAAFellowship ; the deadline is March 1, 2012.

“This is an exciting year for Asian American and Pacific Islanders,” said Gloria Chan, President & CEO of APAICS. “Our community is the fastest growing population in the U.S., and a record-breaking number of AAPIs are running for office, and motivated to serving the community at all levels of political engagement. APAICS is thrilled to partner with AREAA to expand AAPI leadership in public service, especially as the AAPI community reaches this political tipping point.”

Founded in 1994, the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) is a national non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting Asian Pacific American participation and representation at all levels of the political process, from community service to elected office. Founded in 2003, the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) is a nonprofit professional trade organization dedicated to promoting sustainable homeownership opportunities in Asian American communities by creating a powerful national voice for housing and real estate professionals that serve this dynamic market.

Eligible applicants must be institutions of higher education that are designated by the Department of Education under Title III, Part A of the Higher Education Act of 1965 as an Alaska Native-serving institution or a Native Hawaiian-serving institution. Proposals are due March 1, 2012 by 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Additional information and access to the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) can be accessed at, http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=136733

Share your mana’o with our trust agencies, it’s easy!

What: Beneficiary Customer Service Survey

For: State of Hawaii, Office of Hawaiian Affairs and or Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

How: Complete a survey online Click Here

When: Any time all year. Surveys are compiled and delivered to OHA and DHHL throughout the year.

Why: Best practices indicate that expectations are met when customer service experiences are shared.

Support best practices, share your mana’o, and tell OHA and DHHL how they are doing!

For more information, email policy@hawaiiancouncil.org

CNHA is a national network of Native Hawaiian Organizations, providing assistance in accessing capital and technical resources, and is a policy voice on issues important to Native Hawaiian communities. Its mission is to enhance the well-being of Hawaii through the cultural, economic, and community development of Native Hawaiians. For more information about CNHA please contact us at 808.596.8155, toll-free at 1.800.709.2642, by e-mail at info@hawaiiancouncil.org, or visit our website at www.hawaiiancouncil.org.