Office of Hawaiian Affairs facts for kids
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| Agency overview | |
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| Formed | 1978 |
| Headquarters | 560 N. Nimitz Hwy Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Agency executives |
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The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) is a special organization in the State of Hawaii. It was created in 1978 by the 1978 Hawaii State Constitutional Convention. OHA works to help Native Hawaiians and protect their culture.
Contents
Why OHA Was Created
In 1893, the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown. Then, in 1898, the U.S. took control of Hawaii. To make up for some of these past events, the U.S. created the Hawaiian Homes Commissions Act in 1921. This act set aside 200,000 acres of land. This land was meant for Native Hawaiians to use as their homes.
Lands for Native Hawaiians
When Hawaii officially became the 50th U.S. state in 1959, some lands were transferred. These were called "Ceded lands." They were once owned by the Hawaiian kingdom. The U.S. government gave these lands to the State of Hawaii. The goal was to use them to "better the conditions of the native Hawaiians."
OHA's Purpose
In the 1970s, many people wanted more rights for Native Hawaiians. This was part of the Hawaiian sovereignty movement. Because of this, OHA was created in 1978. Its main jobs are to manage the lands set aside for Hawaiians. OHA also works to improve the lives of Native Hawaiians. It helps preserve their culture and protect their rights.
Legal Challenges
Over the years, OHA has faced some legal questions. For example, in a U.S. Supreme Court case called "Rice v. Cayetano", OHA's voting rules were challenged. The court decided that OHA's voting rules needed to change. This meant that all registered voters in Hawaii could vote for OHA leaders.
Board of Trustees
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is led by a group of nine elected people called trustees. These trustees make important decisions for OHA. The Hawaii Constitution explains how this board works.
Who Can Vote for Trustees?
Originally, only Hawaiians could vote for OHA trustees. However, the U.S. Supreme Court changed this rule. In the case of Rice v. Cayetano, the court said that people who are not Hawaiian could also vote. They can also run to become a trustee.
Trustee Elections and Duties
Today, OHA trustees are elected by all registered voters in Hawaii. They serve for four years. The board of trustees usually meets twice a month. Their job is to manage money and resources for Native Hawaiians. They also create plans and policies to help Hawaiians. The board controls OHA through its main leader, the administrator.
