CTY DHHL- 16 MARCH 2012- Exterior of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands offices located at 91-5420 Kapolei Parkway. Honolulu Star-Advertiser photo by Cindy Ellen Russell
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Officials from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands are to address concerns of lawmakers raised by a state auditor’s report in April that said the agency lacks clearly defined roles and responsibilities for trust adminstration and kept insufficient data on loan delinquencies and other programs.
The auditor’s report also said DHHL’s "lax management of loans undermines accountability to beneficiaries as a whole."
The state Senate Tourism and Hawaiian Affairs Committee has scheduled a public informational briefing for Thursday to question department officials over issues raised by the audit.
"This is not a time to point fingers, but is a time for self-reflection," Sen. Brickwood Galuteria (D, Kakaako-McCully-Waikiki), committee chairman, said in a news release. "My hope is that through this report and discussion that we will be able to take steps to resolve these issues and enhance the overall performance of the agency. Our beneficiaries and the public at large deserve greater transparency and accountability."
DHHL, led by a nine-member commission, administers about 200,000 acres of public lands set aside for agricultural and pastoral use to be leased to Native Hawaiians.
Officials to be present at the briefing include DHHL Director Jobie Masagatani, DHHL Deputy Director Darrell Young, various commissioners and Jan K. Yamane, the acting state auditor.
The hearing is set for 2:45 p.m. Thursday in Room 229 of the state Capitol.