OHA Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment (Office of Hawaiian Affairs)
Office of Hawaiian Affairs - The Committee on Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment
Fakanounou naʻe Ngaohi ʻe he AI
Fakamatala fakalea-faingofua — fakapapauʻi maʻu pē mo e ngaahi tohi ʻōfisi
What's Being Discussed
- Malu Project update: Staff and an ad hoc committee will share a progress report on the Malu Project, covering what has been put into action, what is currently happening, and what comes next. (Note: The agenda does not describe what the Malu Project is in detail.)
- International repatriation efforts: OHA staff will brief the committee on upcoming trips to bring back Native Hawaiian ancestral remains or cultural items currently held by overseas and mainland institutions, including museums in Berlin, Paris, and New York City, scheduled for late September through October 2026.
- Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument: The committee will meet privately (in executive session, closed to the public) with its lawyers to discuss possible legal action related to protecting resources within this federally designated monument and sanctuary.
- Community Concerns and Celebrations: An open opportunity for the public to share comments on any topic.
Decisions Expected
- Approval of meeting minutes from February 18, 2026 and April 1, 2026.
- The repatriation and Malu Project items are listed as informational updates; no formal votes are indicated for those topics.
Who Should Pay Attention
- Native Hawaiians interested in the return of cultural items and ancestral remains from institutions in Europe and the U.S.
- Anyone concerned about environmental protections at Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
- OHA beneficiaries and community members wanting to follow the Malu Project's progress.
- Members of the public who wish to testify on any agenda item.
Founga ke Kau Ai
Ko ha fakataha kakai eni — ʻoku talitali lelei ʻa e tokotaha kotoa ʻi he komiunitī ke kau mo foaki ha fakamoʻoni. ʻOku angamaheni ke fai e ngaahi fakataha fakataautaha pea ʻe ala maʻu foki ʻi he ʻinitaneti.