HHC Hears CNHA Policy Center Testimony

Posted on Sep 23, 2013 in Hawaiian Homes Commission, Media Releases

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NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2013

HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION HEARS CNHA POLICY CENTER TESTIMONY ADDRESSING STATE AUDITOR CONCERNS OVER DHHL 

KAILUA-KONA, HAWAI‘I – The Hawaiian Homes Commission welcomed testimony today from representatives of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancementʻs (CNHA) Policy Center on suggestions to address concerns raised by a State Auditor’s report earlier this year.

CNHATestimony

Presenting testimony on behalf of CNHA’s Policy Center are Robin Danner (center), representing the Sovereign Councils of the Hawaiian Homelands Assembly (SCHHA), and Blossom Feiteira (right), representing the Association of Hawaiians for Homestead Lands (AHHL).

“We appreciate the time and effort invested by CNHA and conference participants in helping us better serve our native Hawaiian beneficiaries,” stated Jobie Masagatani, Chair of the Hawaiian Homes Commission and Director of DHHL, “The Department has already undertaken some of the suggestions presented, but there are others that warrant further discussion.”

The roundtable recommendations focused on loss mitigation options to address DHHL’s high loan delinquency rate, a challenge highlighted in the state audit. Options suggested by CNHA include forbearance, where the lender allows reduced or suspended payments for a short period of time, and modification options, which include adding missed payments to the existing loan balance, changing interest rates, or extending the number of years of loan repayment.

The feedback presented is a result of CNHA’s roundtable discussions from its annual convention. Feedback from the convention as well as those being submitted by other beneficiary organizations will be helpful in assisting the Department in better serving native Hawaiian beneficiaries.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Punialoha Chee
Information & Community Relations Officer
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
(808) 620-9591 Office | (808) 282-9031 Cell
[email protected]