‘Oiwi department proposal is in voters’ hands

Some say it would bring more Native Hawaiian input in planning, others question need for new department

The primary author of a charter amendment to create a Department of 'Oiwi Resources envisions it lending more Hawaiian knowledge, history, culture and language to Maui County, especially in the Planning Department. 

Keoni Kuoha, vice chairman of the Maui County Charter Commission, said the intent is not to create more bureaucracy, but to have the new department in an advisory role, while leaving the permitting and approvals to other county departments. 

"I think we see a lot of examples ... where Hawaiian cultural considerations are not brought in early on into the decision-making and so we get to a lot of points where there is conflict," Kuoha said. "And I don't think that conflict is necessary, and I think there are a lot of ways, when we are working with additional Hawaiian knowledge set, but also in a way that engages community, we find better ways to move forward on whatever project the county is doing."

The proposal to create a Department of 'Oiwi Resources is one of 13 charter amendments, as well as two alternatives, that will appear on the general election ballot that was scheduled to arrive at voters' homes Friday, according to the state Office of Elections. 

Kuoha is one of the members of the Maui County Charter Commission, an appointed group by the mayor and council members that meets every 10 years to study and review the operation of the government under that Maui County Charter. The commission and the Maui County Council have opportunities to propose charter amendments. 

Kuoha sees the Department of 'Oiwi assisting the Planning Department early on in the planning process, for example, when it deals with projects or plans that may be in culturally sensitive areas, including locations with 'iwi kupuna or ancestral remains. 

The new department could also provide a second look for archaeological surveys prepared by applicants and offer feedback to the Planning Department, he added.

In addition to creating a new department, the proposal calls for the county to operate as a bilingual government. 

Earlier this month, Maui County Auditor Lance Taguchi released cost estimates of charter amendments, calculating that it would cost $400,000 more annually for the proposed Department of 'Oiwi Resources. 

Kuoha said that what the county will gain "in efficiency" and what it will gain "with capacity in the county" will be "all worth it." 

He added that several positions already established in the county could come under the new department, including an archaeologist, a Hawaiian language communications specialist in the Office of Council Services, along with the cultural adviser in the Mayor's Office.

But the expansion of a new department, after already establishing a Department of Agriculture this year, and already having some Hawaiian cultural specialists in place, has raised some concerns. 

Maui County Council Chairwoman Alice Lee said that instead of creating a new department, the Department of 'Oiwi Resources could be a "division" or a "section" in an existing department. 

"To have it as its own department status, I'm not convinced is warranted," she said. 

She added that the county already has specialists in archaeology and other areas and could perhaps be placed in existing departments.  

"Cultural preservation is important, but even climate change as huge as it is, as wide range as it is, doesn't have its own department," Lee added. 

She said it's not so much about the price but felt there should be a feasibility study on exactly what the department would do and how its function can be combined with other existing programs.

"Has that been analyzed? I don't think so," she said.

Kuoha said much of the direction, look and duties of the department will fall upon the Maui County Council and the mayor. 

Mayoral candidate Richard Bissen Jr. said that "I am in favor of what the charter amendment is seeking. (But) I think there are ways that it can be done without adding another department."

But he added that the matter is up to the will of the voters and that he will fulfill the department requirements if it is supported. He also said he would have discussions with all stakeholders on how the charter amendment would be applied if passed. 

If the amendment doesn't pass, Bissen said there would be ways to facilitate the proposal's goals without the department structure. 

Incumbent Mayor Michael Victorino supported the amendment. He said he understands the resources important to Native Hawaiians and that "they are also integral to the health of our islands' environment and people."

Victorino noted that he has already established a Hawaiian cultural adviser in his office. He added that his adviser would assume a role in the new department if the amendment is passed. 

As for the cost, he said it would include the salaries and benefits for the department's director, deputy director and an administrative assistant plus operating overhead costs. 

He added that the role of entities such as the state Burial Council would not change. Rather, the new department would "interface with them in collaboration with the Planning Department." 

"I believe this new department will generate much more value to taxpayers than it will cost," he said via email in support of the amendment. "Ancestral wisdom of kanaka maoli is invaluable to everyone in Maui County as we face serious challenges of climate change, environmental damage, land and marine ecosystem restoration and cultural losses."

Kuoha acknowledges that there are already specialists in place to carry out some of the 'Oiwi Department's responsibilities, but he said it is important to have a leader, or a department head with Hawaiian culture and language skills to guide them and make them to be "more effective." 

In making the county operate as a bilingual government, the amendment calls for documents to be prepared in English and Hawaiian. 

"That is up to the council if the proposal is passed. The council decides which things are produced in both languages," Kuoha said. "There is some concern that we cannot just go cold turkey and everything is in Hawaiian."

He added that "I think it is good for the decision-makers to decide, read the times, read sort of the need and decide what extent that it should be."  

* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.