THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS IS TASKED WITH GETTING NATIVE HAWAIIANS ONTO HOMESTEAD LOTS.

BUT THE EFFORT IS SLOW GOING, WITH TENS OF THOUSANDS OF BENEFICIARIES ON THE WAITING LIST, SOME WHO HAVE BEEN REGISTERED FOR DECADES.

ONE IDEA FLOATED THIS YEAR AS A WAY TO GENERATE REVENUE FOR THE AGENCY, IS A CONTROVERSIAL PROPOSAL TO BUILD A CASINO ON TRUST LAND IN KAPOLEI.

WE'LL HEAR FROM BOTH SIDES ON THE ISSUE.

TONIGHT'S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVE STREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I START NOW.

¶ ¶ >> ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I...I'M YUNJI DE NIES.

IN 1921, PRESIDENT WARREN HARDING SIGNED THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT.

THE LEGISLATION WAS SPEARHEADED BY PRINCE JONAH KUHIO KALANIANA'OLE.

IT SET ASIDE SOME 200-THOUSAND ACRES ACROSS THE ISLANDS, TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM TO RETURN NATIVE HAWAIIANS TO THE LAND.

PARCELS ARE GRANTED BY THE STATE-RUN DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS, AND TO QUALIFY FOR A 99-YEAR LEASE, NATIVE HAWAIIANS MUST HAVE AT LEAST 50-PERCENT HAWAIIAN BLOOD.

BUT THE PROCESS HAS BEEN INEFFICIENT WITH BENEFICIARIES WAITING DECADES, SOME EVEN DYING, WHILE ON THE WAIT LIST.

OUR PANEL TONIGHT WILL DISCUSS THE VARIOUS IDEAS BEING FLOATED TO GENERATE FUNDING TO WHITTLE DOWN THE BACKLOG.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.

YOU CAN EMAIL, CALL OR TWEET YOUR QUESTIONS.

AND YOU'LL FIND A LIVE STREAM OF THIS PROGRAM AT PBSHAWAII.ORG AND THE PBS HAWAII FACEBOOK PAGE.

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

DEMOCRATIC SENATOR MAILE SHIMABUKURO REPRESENTS DISTRICT 21 WHICH COVERS KALAELOA TO KA'ENA POINT IN WEST O'AHU.

SHE HAS BEEN THE CHAIR OF THE HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE SINCE 2013.

REPUBLICAN SENATOR KURT FEVELLA REPRESENTS DISTRICT 19 WHICH INCLUDES COMMUNITIES IN 'EWA BEACH, 'EWA BY GENTRY AND IROQUOIS POINT.

HE IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.

TYLER GOMES WAS APPOINTED BY GOVERNOR IGE AS DEPUTY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS CHAIRMAN.

HE HAS A JURIS DOCTOR DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE IN NATIVE HAWAIIAN LAW FROM THE WILLIAM S. RICHARDSON SCHOOL OF LAW.

MOKIHANA WAA-KOMODA IS A HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS BENEFICIARY.

SHE CURRENTLY RESIDES IN THE KA'ULULOKAHA'I HOMESTEAD IN EAST KAPOLEI.

AND ANTHONY MAKANA PARIS IS ALSO A HOMESTEAD BENEFICIARY AND HE'S THE PRESIDENT OF THE PRINCE KUHIO HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB.

WELCOME TO YOU ALL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

MR. GOMES, CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE SOURCES OF DHHL FUNDING, AND WHY YOU THOUGHT THIS WAS NECESSARY AT THIS POINT?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US.

IT'S AN IMPORTANT DISCUSSION TO HAVE.

SO IN LARGE PART, THE DEPARTMENT REALIZED ON FUNDING FROM THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR THROUGH HIS BUDGET TO MAKE IT ALL HAPPEN.

WE ADDITIONALLY RELY ON LEASING SOME OF OUR LANDS OUT FOR COMMERCIAL USAGE IN ORDER TO GENERATE REVENUE.

THAT'S NOT A HUGE INCOME GENERATOR OR THE DEPARTMENT.

AT BEST WE MAKE $20 MILLION A YEAR OFF OUR COMMERCIAL LEASES.

IN THIS PANDEMIC, WE'VE SEEN NEARLY A 50% DROP IN INCOME, AND SO KNOWING THAT THAT'S UNLIKELY TO REVERSE AND CHANGE RIGHT AWAY, THAT SHORTCOMING AND ADDRESSING THE FACT THAT THERE HAS BEEN A HUNDRED YEAR INSUFFICIENCY OF FUNDING SINCE THE INCEPTION, THOSE TWO ARE COMPELLING WHY WE NEEDED TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND WHY WE CAME UP WITH THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>>Y UNJI : SENATOR SHIMABUKURO, TODAY YOU RECOMMENDED THAT THE HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE DEFER THE SENATE BILL INDEFINITELY.

DOES THIS MEAN THIS LEGISLATION IS ESSENTIALLY DEAD?

WHAT HAPPENS TO IT NOW?

>> YES.

IT TECHNICALLY -- IT'S TECHNICALLY STILL ALIVE FOR ANOTHER YEAR, FOR NEXT SESSION, BUT FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES, WHEN YOU DEFER SOMETHING INDEFINITELY, IT'S BASICALLY GOING TO DIE.

IF THE PROPONENTS WANT TO COME BACK, BETTER COURSE IS INTRODUCE A NEW BILL IN JANUARY.

VOTES JUST WEREN'T THERE.

>>Y UNJI : WHAT'S YOUR VIEW ON THE PROPOSAL OVERALL?

>> WHAT MADE ME SUPPORT THE INITIAL PROPOSAL WAS THAT THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION SUPPORTED IT.

IT WAS 5 TO 8.

IT WAS A NARROW VOTE.

I SUPPORT SELF-DETERMINATION FOR BENEFICIARIES AND HOMESTEADERS.

AND THEN WHEN SENATOR DELA CRUZ PROPOSED AMENDMENTS, THEN I REALLY FELT THAT THAT EVEN MORE SO, YOU KNOW, GAVE DETERMINATION.

PROPOSED SENATE DRAFT ONE WOULD NOT HAVE REQUIRED A CASINO.

IT WOULD HAVE GIVEN POWER TO DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT GAMING AND IF SO, WHAT FORM.

TO COULD BE A HORSE RACE TO BINGO TO LOTTERY.

A RANGE OF THINGS.

THEY HAD TO DECIDE BY A SUPER MAJORITY.

THEY HAD FIVE YEARS TO DO BENEFICIARY CONSULTATION.

SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS REALLY A BRILLIANT SUGGESTION TO AMEND THE BILL TO IMPROVE IT EVEN MORE SO.

>>Y UNJI : SENATOR FEVELLA, YOU'RE ON RECORD AS BEING AGAINST THE CASINO.

WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON ALL OF THIS?

>> FROM THE BEGINNING, I THINK COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND BENEFICIARIES FELT THAT THE -- THEY GAVE THE COMMISSIONERS A FEW DAYS TO MAKE A DECISION THAT WOULD AFFECT THE WHOLE STATE OF HAWAII.

NOT JUST THE HAWAIIANS, THE HAWAIIAN HOMESTEAD.

NOT PUTTING THEM IN HOMES WHERE THEY BELONG AND THEY SHOULD BE.

GETTING SOMEBODY THREE OR FOUR DAYS A BILL OR A FUTURE BILL TO HAVE AND DECIDE FOR EVERYONE ON THE BENEFICIARY LIST AND THE REST OF THE PEOPLE, I DIDN'T THINK THAT WAS LONG ENOUGH.

I DON'T THINK THEY HAD TALKED TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE.

THEY SAID THEY TALKED TO THE GOVERNOR.

WHEN I TALKED TO THE GOVERNOR AFTER HE GAME ON THE NEWS AND SAID HE WAS AGAINST IT, AND THEN WHEN I CALLED DEPUTY, NOBODY TALKED TO THEM.

AND I TALKED TO MY FRIENDS WHO WAS AT KAHI MOHALA AND QUEEN'S HOSPITAL AND STRAUB AND ALL THE PSYCHOLOGISTS THAT HAVE AN IMPACT ON ILLEGAL GAMBLING IN HAWAII.

I JUST FELT THAT THE DIALOGUE WAS OPEN.

I KNOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE PANDEMIC, BUT IF IT WAS REALLY OPEN.

WE DO THE CONSULTATION WITH THE BENEFICIARY, YOU GUYS HAVE A MONTH OR TWO TO DECIDE.

AND WE'LL VOTE.

BUT IT WAS TOO RUSHED.

PROCESS WAS TOO QUICK.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WAS THE RUSH.

IT WAS GOING TO IMPACT NOT JUST THE PEOPLE ON HAWAIIAN HOME LAND BUT THE WHOLE STATE OF HAWAII.

THAT'S THE REASON I WAS ADAMANT.

>>Y UNJI : IS YOUR OPPOSITION TO THE WAY THE PROCESS WENT OR IS IT TO GAMBLING ON THE WHOLE?

>> GAMBLING ON THE WHOLE BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T ASK THE RIGHT PEOPLE BEFORE GOING IN AND MAKING A DECISION.

BECAUSE THE AREA THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT, COMMERCIAL OR NOT, IN THE KAPOLEI REGION, PICTURES THAT WE'VE SEEN IS CLOSE TO OUR 'EWA VARONA VILLAGE.

VARONA VILLAGE, IT'S PLANTATION CAMP.

IT WAS A HISTORICAL TRAIN RACK.

KA MAKANA ALII WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE NEW APPLE PIE OF RAISING MONEY.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY MONEY THEY RAISED.

I KNOW THE PEOPLE THAT WAS RENTING FROM KA MAKANA ALII, THEY HAD TO PAY THEIR RENT.

I DON'T KNOW HOW KA MAKANA ALII WASN'T MAKING THE MONEY.

THEY GET ONE SET LEASE RENT AND EVERYBODY HAVE TO PAY THE PART.

SO THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WAS PROMISED.

KA MAKANA ALII WAS GOING TO BE THE REASON WHY THEY GAVE THEM A LONG LEASE.

TWO, AND RAISE MONEY TO BUILD HAWAIIAN HOMES.

THAT WAS IT.

THAT'S THE REASON WHY I CANNOT SUPPORT ANY GAMING, ANY KIND OF GAMBLING.

THAT'S NOT THE RIGHT WAY TO GO.

THERE'S A BETTER WAY WE CAN DO THINGS.

>>Y UNJI : MRS. WAA-KOMODA, YOU HOLD A SIMILAR VIEW.

WHAT'S YOUR ON SIX TO GAMING IN HAWAII?

>> MY VIEWS ARE PERSONAL.

I GREW UP IN MY EARLY YEARS WITH A GAMBLING FATHER.

THERE WAS A LOT OF ANGER, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, POVERTY, UNHAPPINESS.

AND I'M NOT SAYING THAT THE GAMBLING WAS A TOTAL CAUSE, BUT THE GAMBLING WAS A BIG CAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT I GREW UP WITH.

I HAVE A CAT THAT'S THE SAME AGE OF ME.

THERE WAS A MUSIC BOX IN THE BACK.

MY MOTHER WOULD USE THAT TO HIDE MONEY.

THAT'S THE ONLY PLACE HE WOULD NEVER CHECK TO LOOK FOR MONEY.

A LOT OF TIMES, THERE WAS NO MONEY FOR FOOD.

MY MOM WOULD HAVE TO DO HER BEST TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

I GREW UP WITH THAT.

FOR ME, THE LANDLORD COMES TO THE HOUSE ASKING, WHERE'S THE RENT MONEY?

THERE IS NONE.

MY SIBLINGS AND I LEARNED TO EAT GRAVY AND BREAD.

THAT WAS MY MOM'S MEANS TO FEEDING ALL OF HER CHILDREN.

ON MANY OCCASIONS, MY FATHER WOULD GAMBLE AWAY HIS WHOLE MONEY.

I REMEMBER SELLING ITEMS FROM OUR HOUSE, TRYING TO BAIL HIM OUT.

HE WAS IN JAIL.

I HAVE BAD MEMORIES.

I TOTALLY OPPOSE IT.

AND THE OTHER REASON WAS IT WAS GOING TO BE TOO CLOSE TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE I LIVE.

AND WE HAVE A LOT OF CHILDREN, A LOT OF WOMEN.

A LOT OF FAMILIES IN THIS AREA.

I WAS THINKING ABOUT THE CRIMINAL IMPACT.

WHAT WOULD THAT BE TO US SO CLOSE?

AND ONE MY NEIGHBORHOODS UP THE ROAD, HE'S A PRISON GUARD.

HE SAID, WHEN GET GAMBLING CASINO, THEY GOING STRAIGHT TO US.

THAT'S OUR RESIDENTIAL AREA.

I CANNOT TAKE THAT CHANCES.

I HEARD 40 YEARS FOR A LICENSE.

THAT'S TOO LONG.

I NOT GOING TO BE HERE BY THEN, BUT WHAT WILL MY MOOPUNA GOT TO FACE AT THAT TIME.

THERE'S JUST TOO MUCH, YOU KNOW.

THERE'S JUST TOO MUCH TO RISK.

AND I JUST -- I'M TOTALLY OPPOSED TO IT.

AND THEN ALSO, I HAD READ THE GENDER IMPACT STATEMENT.

I BELIEVE BY KARA, IT WAS DONE LAST MONTH, AND THERE'S SO MANY OUTLYING THINGS THERE THAT IS SO SCARY.

WE RECENTLY IN KAPOLEI HAD A CHILD TRYING TO BE PICKED UP BY AN UNKNOWN WOMAN.

THAT REALLY SCARES ME.

WITH THAT IN MIND, FOR ME, IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY THE CASINO WOULD HAVE MADE.

IF WE LOSE JUST ONE LIFE BECAUSE OF THIS, IT'S NOT WORTH IT.

>>Y UNJI : MR. PARIS, YOU'RE A BENEFICIARY AND HAVE A DIFFERENT VIEW ALONG WITH THE PRINCE KUHIO CIVIC CLUB.

WHAT'S YOUR TAKE?

[SPEAKING IN HAWAIIAN].

ALOHA, EVERYONE.

IT'S SUCH A PLEASURE AND HONOR TO BE HERE WITH ILLUSTRIOUS SENATOR KURT FEVELLA, SENATOR MAILE SHIMABUKURO, MOKIHANA, BROTHER TYLER GOMES.

FOR ME, THE POSITION I HAVE RIGHT NOW IS ONE OF OPPORTUNITY, OF HOPE, OF ALOHA.

TRYING TO SEE HOW WE CAN MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER.

DURING THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT HERE.

IT'S A TIME TO REST, CONTEMPLATE, TO CONSIDER HOW BEST TO MOVE FORWARD.

I CAN RELATE WHAT AUNTY MOKIHANA WAS SAYING.

I DO COME FROM A FAMILY RAISED IN GAMBLING.

I DIDN'T KNOW GAMBLING WAS ILLEGAL UNTIL MY TEENAGE YEARS.

GOING TO CHICKEN FIGHTS.

I LEARNED HOW TO DO MULTIPLICATION.

AND POKER.

ALL THE AUNTIES AND PAPAS AND NANAS.

THAT ENVIRONMENT WAS A COMMUNITY FOR ME WITH THE FOOD AND AMBIANCE.

I KNEW SOMETHING WAS LITTLE BIT FISHY WHEN S.W.A.T.

WOULD COME AND EVERYBODY WOULD FLEE.

MY TAKE ON THE EXPLORATION OF LIMITED GAMBLING ON HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS IS TIMING.

FOR A HUNDRED YEARS, OUR ANCESTORS, PREDECESSORS DID WHAT THEY COULD TO MOVE THE MISSION FORWARD TO HOUSE NATIVE HAWAIIANS.

RIGHT NOW, MY GENERATION, INCLUDING GOMES WAS PREPARED BY AUNTY MOKIHANA, SENATOR KURT FEVELLA, SENATOR MAILE SHIMABUKURO AND OTHERS TO GAIN THE KNOWLEDGE FROM WESTERN ACADEMIES TO COME HOME AND FIGURE OUT CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO MOVE FORWARD.

AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO DISCUSS.

THERE'S WHAT THIS OPPORTUNITY IS.

HOW DO WE HOUSE OUR PEOPLE?

EXPLORING LIMITED GAMBLING IS HELPFUL AT THIS TIME.

WE HAVE A HUNDRED YEARS OF INFORMATION TO LOOK BACK ON TO SEE AND TO LOOK AT BEST PRACTICES.

I AGREE WITH SENATOR FEVELLA.

IN SOME WAYS, A LITTLE BIT RUSHED BECAUSE IF WE GOING GO TOGETHER IN ONE PART, WE HAVE TO GO SLOW AND BRING EVERYBODY ALONG.

IF AUNTY AND UNCLE DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE, IT'S HARD.

IT'S CONTINGENT UPON THE YOUNGER GENERATION TO EXPLAIN WHY YOU PREPARED US WITH DEGREES AND KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM TO CHART THE PATH FORWARD.

SO EXCITED TO BE HERE TO CONTINUE THIS DISCUSSION.

MAHALO.

>>Y UNJI : MR. GOMES, WHAT KIND OF A DIFFERENCE WOULD THIS MAKE IN TERMS OF THE DHHL BUDGET?

WHAT KIND OF AN IMPACT WOULD IT HAVE, AND WHAT WOULD IT DO TO MOVE PEOPLE OFF THE LIST AND ON TO PARCELS?

>> SO RIGHT NOW, WE'RE ABLE TO DEVELOP NEW LAND LOT AND BUILD HOUSES.

WHICH COMES FROM THE LEGISLATURE.

AND MAYBE WE GET 20 TO 30 MILLION ON AVERAGE.

30 YEAR TO SOLVE A PROBLEM THAT IS 28,000 FAMILIES LONG.

WE KNOW THAT IT WILL PROBABLY COST THE DEPARTMENT $4.5 BILLION ALONE FOR SEWER, WATER AND ELECTRIC FOR ALL OF THOSE LOTS.

$20 MILLION A YEAR.

SO WHEN WE LOOK AT, I GUESS, OTHER STATES AND MARKETS THAT HAVE INTRODUCED CASINOS, WE WERE, I GUESS, LEANED INTO THE MOST CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE SO AS NOT TO OVERPROMISE.

IT COULD HAVE LOOKED AS LOW AS 30 MILLION ANNUALLY TO ADD TO OUR BUDGET.

TO ANSWER SENATOR FEVELLA'S QUESTION, KA MAKANA ALII GENERATES $5 MILLION A YEAR.

WE'D NEED SIX MORE KA MAKANA ALIIS JUST TO MATCH WHAT THE WORST-CASE SCENARIO WOULD BE.

IF WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE FOOTPRINT OF HOW MUCH OF OUR LAND IS GOING TO COMMERCIAL ENDEAVORS, SIX MORE KA MAKANA ALIIS IS ALMOST WORSE THAN ONE POTENTIAL FACILITY THAT COULD GENERATE THAT KIND OF FUNDS.

TO BE COMPLETELY HONEST WHERE WE'RE AT, THERE ARE CERTAIN INSTITUTIONS THAT GENERATE A BILLION DOLLARS IN REVENUE EVERY SINGLE YEAR FROM THEIR FACILITIES.

THERE'S A WIDE CHANGE, AND THAT'S TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON WHERE YOU PUT IT, WHICH IS WHERE THE BILL WAS INTRODUCED TO STAY ON O'AHU.

WE HEARD ABOUT KAPOLEI.

IT GAVE THE COMMISSION THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACQUIRE OTHER LAND TO BE IN AN AREA MORE SUITABLE.

AND I THINK THAT'S SORT OF THE BEAUTY OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS IS WE CAN AMEND THE BILL TO ADD IN LANGUAGE THAT HELPS US SOLVE THE PROBLEMS THAT WE'RE ADDRESSING WITH THEM VERSUS ADVOCATING FOR KILLING THE BILL SIMPLY BECAUSE THERE ARE TECHNICAL OR PROCEDURAL OR SERIOUS CONCERNS.

THERE ARE WAYS TO ADDRESS THAT.

AND AUNTY MOKIHANA, I APPRECIATE YOU WORRYING ABOUT YOUR OHANA.

PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THIS STATE HAS CONTRIBUTED ZERO DOLLARS TO FAMILIES WHO STRUGGLE WITH GAMBLING ADDICTION.

WE KNOW IT OCCURS HERE.

2.2% OF OUR RESIDENTS HAVE A GAMBLING PROBLEM, AND THIS STATE PUT ZERO DOLLARS EVERY SINGLE YEAR TOWARD HELPING THOSE PEOPLE.

SO THIS IS A CULMINATION OF A LOT OF ISSUES AND EMOTIONS, BUT FOR US THAT -- THAT PROMISE OF POTENTIALLY AT THE VERY MINIMUM, WHAT WE GET IN CIP, THAT COULD HAVE BEEN -- THAT COULD HAVE DOUBLED WHAT WE PRODUCE EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

AT THE CURRENT RATE, IT WILL TAKE 182 YEARS.

THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE.

IF I CAN SHAVE EVEN 20 YEARS OFF THAT OR 90 OR 180, I MEAN, THESE ARE REAL THINGS WE HAVE TO CONSIDER.

>>Y UNJI : SENATOR FEVELLA, WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM DAVID IN MAKAKILO.

WHY CAN'T WE HAVE OTHER FORMS OF GAMBLING LIKE LOTTERY OR BINGO?

ARE YOU OPPOSED TO IT COMPLETELY?

>> I'M NOT SURE IF LOTTERY IS CONSIDERED GAMING.

I LOOKED IT UP.

BINGO IS NOT.

I KNOW IT'S BEING THROWN AROUND AS THAT.

I DO SUPPORT EDUCATION CLEARLY IN THEIR PURSUIT IN A STATE LOTTERY OR EDUCATION.

THAT'S THE REASON WHY WHEN SENATOR MAILE TOLD ME ABOUT HER BILL, IT WAS TOO LATE TO ME.

BECAUSE I ALREADY HAD SUPPORTED SENATOR KIDANI'S BILL TO HELP TEACHERS RAISE MONEY TO STATE LOTTERY AND GOING FORWARD FROM THERE.

I'M NOT AGAINST THE IDEA.

THE STATE LOTTERY, BUT I'M AGAINST THE IDEA THAT WE NEED A GAMING LICENSE TO HAVE THE COMMISSIONERS MAKE A DECISION THAT WHAT KIND OF GAMING THEY GOING HAVE?

I NEVER SEEN IT AS A GAME.

I TALKED TO GUYS IN THEIR STATE.

IT'S HORSE RACING.

GAMING COMES WITH GAMES.

LIKE CASINO GAMES, SLOT MACHINE, CRAP TABLE.

THAT IS GAMING.

THAT'S THE WAY THE GAMING LICENSE GO.

HORSE RACING IN THE STATE AND JUST HORSE RACING, THEY DON'T HAVE A GAMING LICENSE.

THEY DO BINGO IN MILITARY BASE.

MILITARY DOES NOT HAVE A LICENSE.

SEEING THAT AND PUTTING THAT TOGETHER, TO ME, EVEN MORE DISTURBING THAT WE NEED A GAMING LICENSE TO DO THESE THINGS.

TO SAY WE'RE GOING TO DO BINGO AND DO SOMETHING WITH VIRTUAL BINGO.

EVERYTHING IS COMPUTERIZED.

YOU GOT YOUR CREDIT CARD AND BUY AS MUCH AS YOU WANT.

100% PROCEEDS GO TO HAWAIIAN HOMES.

IT WAS THIS TO THIS TO THIS OR NOT.

THE WAY THEY PRESENTED IT TO ME, IT WAS RUSHED, AND THE DECISION WAS MADE, I HAD TO TAKE TO WHAT I HAD SUPPORT FOR IN THE BEGINNING.

WE TALK ABOUT $30 MILLION CASINO COULD BRING IN OR EVEN A BILLION, HAWAII SPEND $3 MILLION A YEAR IN VEGAS.

HOW ARE WE GOING TO GO FROM 3 MILLION TO $30 MILLION WHEN WE CURRENT BRING TOURISTS BACK.

KA MAKANA ALII WAS HURTING.

ONLY LOCALS GO THERE.

UNLESS THEY'RE GOING TO FIND A PLACE THAT'S 100% TOURIST THAT'S ONLY GOING TO COME TO HAWAII HAWAII TO GAMBLING.

HAWAII PEOPLE DON'T GAMBLE AS MUCH AS ALL THE OTHER PLACES.

THEY GO TO VEGAS, $3 MILLION.

NOT TO COME TO A CASINO.

WHY WOULD THEY COME HERE AND SPEND THEIR MONEY ON CASINOS -- BECAUSE THEY SAY WE'RE GOING TO GET $30 MILLION.

>>Y UNJI : SENATOR SHIMABUKURO, LET'S HEAR YOUR RESPONSE.

LET'S HAVE YOU JUMP IN THERE.

>> I GUESS THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF THE AMENDMENTS.

IS THE BILL, AS AMENDED, WOULD NOT REQUIRE ONLY CASINO.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN BINGO, LOTTERY, HORSE RACING THAT KIND OF THING.

AND I THINK WHAT I THOUGHT WAS REALLY COMPELLING TOO, WE HAD A PROFESSOR CHO TESTIFY.

HE SPECIALIZES IN GAMBLING STUDIES.

AND HE USED THE EXAMPLE OF SINGAPORE, VANCOUVER.

SINGAPORE IMPROVED SOCIAL OUTCOMES.

THEY MADE THESE RESORTS, SO MUCH OF WHAT WAS IN THE BILL.

WHAT THEY DO IS MAKE THE CASINO A VERY TINY PART OF THE RESORT.

LESS THAN 5%.

YOU BARELY KNOW IT'S THERE.

IT'S THE MAJOR INCOME GENERATOR, AND THEY ALSO CHARGE A PRETTY DECENT FEE FOR SINGAPORE RESIDENTS TO USE THE CASINO.

THEY DO THESE DIFFERENT METHODS, AND IT'S WORKED IN TERMS OF DRAMATICALLY IMPROVING THEIR ECONOMY AND IMPROVING SOCIAL OUTCOMES.

SO IF DONE RIGHT, IT POSSIBLY COULD HOPEFULLY HAVE BENEFICIAL IMPACTS, AS WELL AS THE NEEDED FINANCIAL IMPACTS.

>> COULD I JUMP IN THERE?

>>Y UNJI : OF COURSE.

>> I THINK ONE THING THAT NEEDS TO BE MENTIONED, PARTICULARLY ABOUT LOTTERY AND BINGO, FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES, WHO'S GOING TO PLAY A LOTTERY AND BINGO?

LOCAL RESIDENTS.

TOURISTS ARE NOT GOING TO COME HERE TO PLAY LOTTERY AND BINGO, THERE ARE STUDIES THAT SHOW THAT PARTICULARLY STUDENTS FROM JAPAN, ASIA, HONG KONG ARE INTEREST IN THE DESTINATION GAMING.

SO YOU ABSOLUTELY CAN CATER AN INDUSTRY TO THOSE AUDIENCES.

IF YOU WERE TO DO A LOTTERY AND BINGO, IT'S GOING TO BE OUR NEIGHBORS PLAYING THAT, NOT THE TOURISTS.

THE BEAUTY IS WE CAN AMEND THE BILL.

DEFINITION OF GAMING AS IT WAS IS VERY BROAD.

IF YOU ASK SOME PEOPLE IN THE STUDY OF GAMING THEY'LL TELL YOU HORSE RACING, LOTTERY AND BINGO ARE ALL GAMING.

BECAUSE THEY'RE CONSIDERED A GAME OF CHANCE.

YOU'RE BETTING ON THE CHANCE THAT YOU CAN WIN OR LOSE.

WE CAN EASILY CHANGE THE DEFINITION TO BETTER SUIT THEM RATHER THAN KILLING.

>>Y UNJI : I WANT TO BRING IN THIS COMMENT FROM FACEBOOK.

KEALOHA SAYS GAMBLING IS IN HAWAII.

TO NOT MAKE MONEY IS BLIND SIDED.

YOU GAVE THE EXAMPLE OF YOUR FAMILY.

WHAT IF THIS IS REGULATED IN SOME FORM, THEN SITUATIONS LIKE THE ONE YOU DESCRIBE WOULD BE LESS LIKELY TO HAPPEN?

>> YOU KNOW, I KEEP THINKING BACK TO THE GENDER IMPACT STATEMENT THAT I READ LAST MONTH BY THAT PERSON, AND I JUST DON'T SEE HOW WE CAN GET AROUND IT.

I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF ILLEGAL GAMBLING PLACES.

WE HAD ONE ON OUR HOMESTEAD.

ONE ON ANOTHER HOMESTEAD, RIGHT?

AND WHEN I LISTEN TO PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IT, LIKE THE NEIGHBORS ARE SCARED.

YOU KNOW, I UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON WITH HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

MY WINDOW WAS 51 YEARS.

I SUCCEEDED MY FATHER'S APPLICATION FROM THE DATE HE PUT IT IN.

HE DIED ON LIST.

I WAS HIS SUCCESSOR.

I KNOW THAT MONIES -- REVENUES NEED TO BE MADE.

I FEEL LIKE THE BETTER WAY IS PUSH THE LEGISLATURE.

THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE FUNDING DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING.

I WAS TOLD ALSO THE PREVIOUS DIRECTOR DIDN'T REALLY PUSH FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO DO THAT.

SO I THINK SOMEHOW, WE AS BENEFICIARIES NEED TO HOLD DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS RESPONSIBLE TO PUSH THE LEGISLATURE SO THEY CAN ADEQUATELY FUND US SO WE DON'T HAVE TO GET A CASINO.

I'M JUST NOT FOR IT AT ALL.

>>Y UNJI : MR. PARIS, I SAW YOU NODDING THERE.

I KNOW THAT YOU DISAGREE ON GAMBLING, BUT YOU MIGHT HAVE COMMON GROUND HERE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WHEN I LISTEN TO THE SENATOR AND MOKIHANA SPEAK, WHAT I'M HEARING IS THERE'S A DESIRE TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY.

TO DO IT IN A PONO WAY.

THAT'S WHAT THIS DISCUSSION IS ABOUT.

AUNTY MOKIHANA, I'M WITH YOU.

LET'S HOLD THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LAND AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR THE LAND TAKEN FROM OUR PEOPLE OVER A HUNDRED YEARS AGO.

THIS OUR AINA.

THIS IS OUR INTERGENERATIONAL WELL.

THAT'S WHERE I SEE THE OPPORTUNITY.

OTHER FAMILIES PASS ON THEIR WILL FROM ONE FAMILY HEAD TO THE NEXT.

FOR NATIVE HAWAIIANS, OUR COLLECTIVE WEALTH COMES THROUGH THE TRUST.

AND OUR ALIIS PUT UP THE BISHOP ESTATE, QUEEN EMMA AND OTHERS.

NOW A HUNDRED YEARS LATER, IT'S OUR OPPORTUNITIES TO LEVERAGE THOSE TRUSTS TO GROW OUR COMMUNITY IN BETTER WAYS.

I'M WITH YOU.

WE SHOULD HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE, BUT IT'S NOT THE DEPARTMENT'S FAULT ALONE.

I KNOW YOU'RE DOING AWESOME JOBS NOW, BUT THERE'S BEEN THINGS THAT ARE WHACKED FROM BEFORE.

100%.

MOST OF THE KUPUNA I TALK TO, THEY TALKING ABOUT MOOLELO FROM 40 YEARS AGO, 30 YEARS AGO, 60 YEARS AGO WHEN THEY DID THIS AND THAT.

MAN, MY TUTU PASSED AWAY ON THE WAIT LIST.

MY AUNTIES AND UNCLES ARE ON THE WAIT LIST.

MANY SOME OF OUR FAMILIES GOT HIGHWAYS.

THAT'S AWESOME.

THE PART IS, WE ALL DON'T HAVE EQUAL ACCESS.

I CAN SAY FOR A FACT THAT THE TRUST HAS HELPED ME.

I'VE LIVED OVER A THIRD OF MY LIFE ON HOME LANDS IN PAPAKOLEA NANAKULI.

WITH AUNTIES AND UNCLES HELPED US LIVE ON THE LAND SO I COULD HAVE A CHANCE.

EDUCATION ON EAST COAST, WEST COAST AND BACK HERE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO NEXT STEPS.

NATIVE HAWAIIANS HAVE THREE TRUSTEES: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, STATE GOVERNMENT AND OHA.

AND DHHL.

THEY'RE ALL TRUSTEES OF OUR ASSETS.

IT'S LIKE PARENTS ARE DEALING WITH THEIR GRANDPARENTS ABOUT FOR WHAT TO DO WITH OUR ASSETS.

WE GOING, HOW WE GOING AFFORD ONE HOME?

WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, A HOUSE ON OAHU HOUSE IS GOING FOR $150,000.

TODAY THAT'S ONE DOWN PAYMENT.

FIVE LIFE TIMES WORTH OF WORK FOR ONE HALE TODAY.

SOMETHING IS WRONG.

THAT'S WHAT IS COMING TO LIGHT.

SOMETHING IS WRONG.

WE HAVE A CHANCE TO HAVE A CONVERSATION TO MOVE FORWARD TO WRITING THAT DOWN.

MAHALO.

>>Y UNJI : SENATOR SHIMABUKURO, THE STATE LEGISLATURE AS WE KNOW IS FACING A BUDGET SHORTFALL OF $1.4 BILLION, PERHAPS MORE.

CERTAINLY, DOESN'T HAVE $4.5 BILLION THAT MR. GOMES LAID OUT.

ABSENT GAMING, WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS FOR FUNDING THIS DEPARTMENT?

>> YEAH, WELL, IT'S TOUGH.

WE WERE ABLE TO PASS OUT SB 86 ON TUESDAY.

IT PICKS UP ON AN IDEA THAT DHHL FLOATED TO THE COMMISSION PRIOR, WHICH IS MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES.

RIGHT NOW IN PREVIOUSLY LEGISLATION WE AUTHORIZED EIGHT DISPENSARIES FOR THE STATE.

THIS SB 86 WOULD ALLOW EIGHT ADDITIONAL DISPENSARIES TO BE RUN BY BENEFICIARIES ON HAWAIIAN HOME LAND, AS I UNDERSTAND.

IT'S NOT GOING TO GENERATE THE SAME TYPES AS CASINOS, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S MOVING.

THERE ARE OTHER, AS SENATOR FEVELLA MENTIONED, SB -- THERE'S TWO CASINO BILLS.

SB 816 AND SB 853 -- I'M SORRY, LOTTERY BILLS, TALKING ABOUT STATEWIDE LOTTERIES.

SO AND THESE ARE TIMES OF THINGS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO.

EVERY DEPARTMENT, NOT JUST DHHL, IS GOING TO SUFFER BECAUSE OF THE COVID.

WE'RE IN DIRE STRAITS NOW.

SO THAT'S WHY I APPLAUDED THAT THE HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS COMMISSION WAS TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO DIVERSIFY OUR ECONOMY.

>>Y UNJI : SENATOR FEVELLA, A QUESTION FROM 'EWA BEACH, WHICH ASK ASIDE FROM GAMING WHAT SOLUTION DOES SENATOR FEVELLA HAVE FOR THE CURRENT HOUSING CRISIS?

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE MARIJUANA PROPOSAL?

>> FIRST OF ALL, WE SHOULD LIQUIDATE ALL THE ASSETS THAT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII HAS IN CEDED LAND.

AND RETURN EITHER BACK TO HAWAIIAN HOMES OR STATE OF HAWAII TO MAKE AFFORDABLE RENTALS NOT FOR HAWAIIANS SO YOU CAN GENERATE MONEY TO PAY A HOME ON HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

A LOT OF LAND BELONGS TO HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS, DHHL, BELONGS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII MANOA SHOULD DOWNSIZE.

THEY DON'T HAVE NEW STUDENTS.

THEY DON'T TAKE CARE OF THE HAWAIIAN STUDENTS THERE.

THEY DO NOT EVEN JUSTIFY USING THE CEDED LANDS.

AND WHEN THEY DO PROJECTS, THEY DON'T DO REVENUE ON CEDED LANDS BECAUSE THEY GOT TO GIVE A PORTION TO OHA.

OHA SHOULD BE GIVING MORE MONEY TO HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

AND ANOTHER IS MAUNA KEA.

DESECRATED FOR 50 YEARS.

GIVE THAT TO HAWAIIAN HOMES TO RUN MAUNA KEA AS AN EDUCATIONAL ASPECT.

THERE'S A LOT OF LAND OUT THERE.

SAME LIKE MAKANA SAID.

THERE'S A LOT LAND THAT WE CAN DIVERSIFY.

LEASING AND LICENSING BEING USED BY UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII THAT I THINK THEY'RE LOOKING INTO RENTING AND LEASING PART OF THOSE PROPERTIES, BUT IT SHOULD COME BACK TO REVENUE TO THE HAWAIIAN PEOPLE.

AND THAT'S HOW YOU GOING START GENERATING MONEY.

LEASES AND LICENSES THAT THEY HAVE NOW, NOT CHARGING FAIR MARKET VALUES.

STOP GIVING BREAKS AND CHEAPER PRICES FOR THEIR LAND.

GOT TO VALUE THE LAND AND GET FAIR MARKET VALUE.

>>Y UNJI : IS THAT AN OPTION?

LIQUIDATE AND TAKE THEM BACK FROM U.H.

AND OTHERS?

>> YEAH.

THAT CAN BE AN OFFICIAL.

WE GOT TO WORKING LEGISLATIVELY TO DO IT.

THEY'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING.

UNIVERSITY IS SO DOWN IN STUDENTS.

THAT'S WHO HAS THE MOST ENROLLMENT.

LEGISLATING MONEY.

WE GET PROFESSORS OUT THERE GETTING 500,000, AND THEY DON'T EVEN TEACH A CLASS.

THEY DON'T TEACH A CLASS.

THAT MONEY COULD GO INTO THE STATE, AND THE STATE SHOULD GIVE THAT TO HAWAIIAN HOMES AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS -- >>Y UNJI : SENATOR FEVELLA, I WANT TO GET MR. GOMES' TAKE.

IS THAT A REALISTIC OPTION?

>> WELL, IF IT'S GOING TO BE FROM CEDED LAND, THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS IS GOING TO HAVE AN OPINION ON WHERE MONEY SHOULD GO.

I'M NOT REALLY IN A POSITION WHETHER OR NOT WE SHOULD BE CHALLENGING THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIR WHAT'S OWED TO THEM FROM CEDED LANDS.

ANYTHING THAT BRINGS ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO THE DEPARTMENT LIKE MANAGING MAUNA KEA, THAT'S MORE RESOURCES NEEDED.

THAT'S GOT COSTS AND EMPLOYEE COSTS THAT COME WITH IT.

MAYBE 130 STAFF RIGHT NOW MANAGING WHAT AMOUNTS TO A SMALL MUNICIPALITY.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOMELANDS IS A SMALL CITY.

WE ARE A BANK.

WE'RE A WATER UTILITY.

WE ARE A WATER UTILITY.

WE MANGER SEWER.

WE DO HOUSING.

WE RESPOND TO COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY, AND WE'RE UNDERSTAFFED THERE.

AND OUR COMMUNITIES DESERVE TO LIVE IN SAFE COMMUNITIES.

HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO DO THAT WITH TWO STAFFERS FOR THE ENTIRE STATE?

WE ARE DOING COMMERCIAL LAND MANAGEMENT.

WE ARE CONSTRUCTING HOMES.

WE ARE DOING ALL AND SO MUCH MORE INCLUDING AN AREA OF CONSERVATION.

LET'S NOT FORGET THE 200,000 ACRES, VAST MAJORITY IS CONSERVATION LAND THAT I CAN'T PUT HOMES ON.

WE'RE RETURNING A REALLY, REALLY BIG OPERATION ON THE SENATE'S BUDGET.

I'M NOT SAYING SENATOR FEVELLA'S IDEA IS BAD.

PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE, THE MORE RESPONSIBILITY WE GET, THAT'S THE CENTER OUR RESOURCES GO.

THE PUBLIC PERCEPTION IS I'VE STILL GOT TO BUILT 20,000 HOMES.

IT'S SO MUCH BIGGER THAN THAT.

WE'RE GIVING OUT LOANS.

THE LEVEL OF THIS DEPARTMENT DOES, WHAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MULTIPLE STATE DEPARTMENTS FOR A POPULATION -- FOR THE INDIGENOUS POPULATION.

WE ABSOLUTELY DESERVE MORE MONEY.

I SAID THIS THE OTHERS DAY AND I'LL SAY IT AGAIN.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE AFFORDABLE CRISIS AND 22,000 UNIT SHORTAGE ON O'AHU ALONE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING STATEWIDE DISCUSSION STARTS IN THE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT AFFORDABLE CRISIS ON HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS AND I NEED TO HAVE 2800, DISCUSSION STARTS AT 20 TO $30 MILLION A YEAR.

WE'VE GOT TO KEEP ADVOCATING FOR MORE MONEY.

I'M HERE DOING IT.

AUNTY MOKIHANA, THE LAST DIRECTOR TOOK THE STATE TO COURT AND FOUGHT TO GET SUFFICIENT SUMS.

[INAUDIBLE] >> I AM A TOTAL NERD, I ADMIT THAT.

I SPEND A LOT OF MY FREE TIME IN THE LIBRARY HERE IN THE OFFICES.

I HAVEN'T LEFT THE OFFICE YET.

I READ THROUGH THESE ANNUAL REPORTS THAT GO BACK A HUNDRED YEARS.

EVERY CHAIRMAN IN THE LAST HUNDRED YEARS SAID WE'RE NOT GETTING ENOUGH FUNDING.

IF ANYTHING COMES OUT OF THIS GAMING BILL BEING DEFERRED, WE'VE GOT A WHOLE BUNCH OF NATIVE HAWAIIANS WHO ARE EQUIPPED TO HAVE A DISCUSSION.

AND EVERYBODY, I HOPE, IS ON THE SAME PAGE THAT WE NEED TO BE DEMANDING MORE FUNDING SO WE CAN DO THIS JOB RIGHT.

>>Y UNJI : MR. PARIS, I SEE YOU NODDING.

ALSO, WE HAVE MARYLAND WRITING IN.

HOW DOES THE PANEL FEEL FROM OFFSHORE GAMBLING?

COULD THAT BE AN OPTION?

IN OTHER MUNICIPALS YOU HAVE RIVERBOATS.

WOULD IT FEEL BETTER IF YOU DID IT ON A BOAT AS OPPOSED TO ON LAND?

>> I MEAN, WE LOOK INTO THE THIS.

I'M HAPPY TO SPEAK ON THIS, BUT OFFSHORE GAMING IS MUCH MORE PROBLEMATIC THAN IT DOES SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

IN LARGE PART BECAUSE THE SQUARE FOOTAGE IS SO SMALL.

THE COSTS DO NOT GET OUTWEIGHED BY REVENUE BENEFIT.

BOTTOM LINE, WE DIDN'T CONSIDER OFFSHORE BECAUSE THE COST -- THE REVENUE COULDN'T JUSTIFY THE COST AT THAT SCALE.

>>Y UNJI : MR. PARIS, I SAW YOU NODDING WHEN MR. GOMES WAS SPEAKING EARLIER.

>> I TOO THINK OFFSHORE GAMBLING IS PUTTING A BAND-AID OR SOMETHING.

THAT'S HOW MASSIVE THE WOUND IS.

I'M A PROPONENT FOR EXPLORING THE OPTION FOR LIMITED GAMING WITH INTEGRATED RESORT.

THE INTEGRATED RESORT, DEPENDING ON PROFILE, 15% OF THE FOOTPRINT IS CASINO, AND THE REST IS RETAIL SPACES, CONFERENCE ROOMS.

LIKE BALLROOMS, DINING FACILITIES, AMUSEMENT PARKS.

AN ENTERTAINMENT CENTER WITH CASINO GAMBLING AS A DRAW.

BUT IT'S NOT THE FOCUS.

IT'S AN ANCHOR.

LIKE AN ANCHOR TENANT LIKE LONGS DRUGS.

THE NEAREST SHOPPING COMPLEX.

WHAT IT DOES IN THE SHORT TERM IS THAT IT PROVIDES HUNDREDS OF CONSTRUCTION JOBS, AND THIS PROCESS FOR CONSTRUCTION DEVELOPMENT ON O'AHU PROBABLY GOING TO TAKE FOUR, SIX YEARS TO GO THROUGH AT BEST, MAYBE EIGHT.

ESPECIALLY IF SOMEBODY ENDS UP SUING BECAUSE WE NEVER DO SOMETHING RIGHT IN THE EIS OR SOMETHING ELSE.

MAYBE TEN YEARS.

IT'S GOING TO GO THROUGH A BENEFICIARY CONSULTATION PROCESS WITH THE HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS OFFICE IF THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO MOVE FORWARD.

IT WILL PROBABLY TAKE ANOTHER COUPLE YEARS.

TEN TO 12 YEARS BEFORE YOU SEE FUNDING COMING IN.

IT'S LIKE YOU'RE GETTING PEOPLE TO WORK.

YOU'RE HAVING APPROPRIATE CONVERSATION.

AND 12 YEARS FROM NOW, WE COULD HAVE THOUSANDS OF OUR NEIGHBORS NO LONGER DRIVING FROM MAKAHA, WAIANAE, NANAKULI TO WAIKIKI TO DO HOSPITALITY WORK.

GO STRAIGHT TO KAPOLEI, STOP THERE AND WORK THERE.

AN INTEGRATED RESORT CAN PROVIDE TWO TO SIX THOUSAND JOBS.

>>Y UNJI : WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I WAS THINKING IF THEY DO IT OFFSHORE, I'D BE HAPPY WITH THAT ONE.

IT'S NOT CLOSE TO HOME.

IT'S NOT CLOSE TO ME.

IT WOULD TAKE MORE EFFORT TO BRING CRIME INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

THAT WAS JUST MY THOUGHT.

>>Y UNJI : I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO GIVE MORE PERSPECTIVE.

YOU SAID THAT YOUR FAMILY HAD WAITED DECADES.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FAMILIES WHO HAVE A RIGHT TO THIS LAND.

TELL US ABOUT THAT WAIT AND THE IMPACT IT HAD ON YOUR FAMILY.

>> SO I HAD PUT IN FOR MYSELF, BUT MY FATHER'S APPLICATION WAS WAY BACK.

HE DECIDED, I'M NOT ABLE TO GET A PLACE EVEN IF THEY OFFER IT.

HIS NAME HAS COME UP A FEW TIMES.

YOU CAN HAVE PEOPLE WORKING MINIMUM WAGE JOBS.

THEY STILL CANNOT QUALIFY FOR THAT LOAN.

I GOT THE PLACE, BUT 51 YEARS, THAT'S A LONG TIME.

EVEN WHEN I PUT IN, HAD I BEEN ABLE TO GET A HOUSE FIVE, TEN YEARS FOR MY CHILDREN GROWING UP, WE WOULDN'T HAVE HAD TO MOVED SO MANY TIMES.

I WAS A SINGLE PARENT FOR MANY NUMBER OF YEARS.

I RAISED MY CHILDREN BY MYSELF DUE TO THE DEATH OF THEIR FATHER.

WHEN THERE'S ONE INCOME, I WASN'T ABLE TO QUALIFY.

I HAVE TO KEEP MOVING.

WHERE THE RENT WAS CHEAPER.

IT DOES IMPACT FAMILIES BECAUSE HAVING A HOME IS VERY IMPORTANT.

SOME PLACE KIDS CAN SAY, THAT'S MY HOUSE.

HAVE A PLACE TO GO HOME TO.

NOT MY ADDRESS IN HAUULA AND NEXT MONTH MY ADDRESS IS IN LAIE.

IT DOES SOMETHING TO FAMILIES.

I THINK THE WAIT IS TOO LONG, BUT I'M NOT BLAMING ANYBODY.

I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A PROBLEM, AND I'M SURE EVERYBODY'S TRY TO DO THEIR BEST TO HELP PEOPLE, BUT WHAT I WANT TO SAY IS WHAT'S CLOSE TO MY HEART NOW IS BECAUSE OF THE COST OF LIVING IN HAWAII, AND NONE OF MY CHILDREN OWN THEIR OWN HOMES.

MY YOUNGEST BOY MOVED TO OREGON TEN YEARS AGO.

SAID I CAN'T GET MY OWN HOME.

AND ONE OF MY DAUGHTERS IS PLANNING TO LEAVE THIS SUMMER.

THAT'S NINE MORE THAT GOT TO GO OUT OF HAWAII, WHICH IS REALLY SAD, YOU KNOW.

I THINK IF FAMILIES HAD A HOME, THEY CAN WORK FROM THERE.

WE WORK TOGETHER, PAY THE MORTGAGE.

WE HAVE SOME PLACE TO LIVE.

WHEN YOU GOT TO PAY TWO, THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS RENT TO HOUSE A FAMILY OF MAYBE FIVE, IT'S HARD WITH HAWAII'S ECONOMY AND THE COST OF LIVING.

HAVING TO WAIT SO LONG, MY NEIGHBOR'S AROUND ME, THERE ARE SEVERAL THAT ARE OLDER ALSO.

I IMAGINE THEY'VE BEEN ON A WAIT LIST ALONG.

IT WOULD BE NICE IF THEY COULD MOVE THAT WAIT LIST, BUT I UNDERSTAND IT'S PROBLEMATIC RIGHT NOW.

>>Y UNJI : SENATOR FEVELLA, IT'S BEEN SAID OUR BIGGEST EXPORT IS OUR MIDDLE CLASS.

WE LOSE SO MANY PEOPLE.

SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT HER CHILDREN MOVING TO THE MAINLAND.

IF IT'S NOT GAMING WHAT IS A BETTER WAY TO RAISE REVENUE SO MORE PEOPLE CAN GET ON TO PARCEL?

>> WE HAD THIS DISCUSSION MANY A TIME.

I'M TALKING ABOUT RAISING REVENUE.

WE CAN DIVERSIFY.

WE NEVER LOOKED AT THE OPTION OF HEMP.

HEMP, WE TALKED ABOUT FOR THE LAST TEN-PLUS YEARS, AND DIVERSIFYING AND MAKING SURE WE'RE NOT ONLY SUSTAINABLE FOR THE AGRICULTURAL GOING FORWARD AND TECHNOLOGY, AND MOVING OUR TECHNOLOGY AND OUR ABILITY TO BRING IN OUTSIDE COMPANIES TO UP CAN COME IN AND BUY IN.

IT'S SO EXPENSIVE HERE.

NO COMPANY WANTS TO DO BUSINESS HERE.

WE GOT TO DIVERSIFY AND GENERATE OUR FUNDING AND OPPORTUNITIES.

AND ONE OF THE BIGGEST ONES WE'RE NOT CAPITALIZING IS HEMP.

HEMP WAS AROUND LONG TIME.

WE HAVE HEMP CLOTHES.

THERE'S A LOT OF STUFF.

WE COULD HAVE A HEMP FACTORY RIGHT HERE OUT HERE IN KAHI MOHALA.

IT'S ALL AG LAND.

NOBODY IS SEEMING TO PUSH THAT BECAUSE OF ECONOMIC AND GENERATING EVEN ENERGY.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THAT NOBODY IS EXPLORING.

HAWAIIAN HOMES HAVE A LOT OF LAND.

THEY CANNOT PUT PEOPLE ON.

SOMETHING THAT THEY SHOULD EXPLORE.

HAVING THEIR OWN HEMP AFFECT TORE AND GROWING HEMP AND DIVERSIFYING IN HEMP.

OTHER STATES AND CITIES DOING HEMP, THEY'RE DOING FINE.

TOURISM GOING COME WHEN THEY COME.

WE GOT TO DIVERSIFY BECAUSE WE CANNOT HAVE ANOTHER CORONAVIRUS.

>>Y UNJI : MR. GOMES, WHAT ABOUT THOSE PROPOSALS PERHAPS HEMP OR DIFFERENT AG OR WHAT SENATOR SHIMABUKURO WAS TALKING ABOUT DISPENSARIES?

WHAT ARE OTHER MECHANISMS THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT IF THIS IS DEAD?

>> IN THE CASE OF THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES, THAT WAS SOMETHING WE HAD TAKEN TO OUR COMMISSION.

THEY DID NOT APPROVE.

SOME OF THE CONCERNS HAVE IN LARGE PART TO DO WITH THE CURRENT FEDERAL STATUS OF MARIJUANA.

THERE MAY BE QUESTIONS THERE.

BUT WE PURSUED THE IDEA.

WE DIDN'T GET THE GREEN LIGHT.

I THINK THIS ADMINISTRATION IS OPEN TO CONSIDERING ANYTHING THAT'S GOING TO GENERATE REVENUE.

I CAN'T SPEAK TO WHAT THE HEMP INDUSTRY GENERATES.

I DON'T HAVE THE BACKGROUND THERE.

YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER WE DO HAVE LIMITED LAND HOLDINGS.

EVERY ACRE THAT WE USE FOR AGRICULTURAL DIVERSIFICATION, THAT MIGHT BE ONE, TWO, TEN LESS LOTS YOU GOT TO GIVE.

HEMP GENERATES REVENUE TO BUILD THE HOMES SO THAT'S SORT OF THE TRADEOFF.

WE DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE UNLIMITED LAND EITHER.

>>Y UNJI : MR. PARIS, I WANT TO GET TO YOU.

SHE SHARED HER FAMILY STORY.

CAN YOU SHARE YOURS IN TERMS OF YOU HAVE TO WAIT SO LONG.

>> MY FAMILY HAS BEEN WAITING FOR QUITE A WHILE.

MOST OF MY DIRECT PEOPLE I DESCENDED FROM HAVE NOT RECEIVED HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

BEAUTY OF OHANA IS WE ARE ABLE TO BENEFIT SOMETIMES WAITING WITH AUNTIES AND UNCLES THAT CURRENTLY HAVE HOME LAND LOTS.

THAT'S THE HIDDEN HOUSING CRISIS IN HAWAII.

LIKE BROTHER TYLER WAS SAYING EARLIER, NEED FOR 22,000 ACROSS THE STATE.

YOU CAN SEE THAT WE NEED, BY 2040, 50,000 HOUSING UNITS.

THE QUESTION BEGS YOU, IF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS HAS 28,000 PEOPLE ON WAIT LIST, 50,000 ACROSS THE STATE, WHERE ARE ALL THESE PEOPLE?

THEY'RE EITHER OVER OVERSTACKED IN HOMES, PARTICULARLY ON HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS OR THEY'RE HOUSELESS.

AS WE GO INTO THIS NEW YEAR FACING THE A COVID PANDEMIC THAT'S STILL REARING ITS HEAD, OVER 500,000 UI CLAIMS WERE GIVEN TO THE STATE LAST YEAR.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE CLAIMS.

PEOPLE WENT OUT OF WORK.

WE HAVE HIGH RECORD OF UNEMPOLYMENT LEVELS NOW.

PEOPLE WERE PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK BEFORE.

NOW PEOPLE ARE ON THE VERGE OF HAVING TO GET EVICTED FROM THEIR HOMES.

THE ONLY REASON THEY'RE NOT IS BECAUSE OF THE PRECEDENTIAL AND GUBERNATORIAL PROCLAMATIONS STEMMING THOSE EVICTIONS.

HAWAII HAS A HOUSING CRISIS.

FOR THE ENTIRE STATE, IT'S THE SAME.

WHEN PEOPLE ARE SAYING DHHL IS A NATIVE HAWAIIAN ISSUE, THAT IS PART OF THE TRUTH.

THE HOLISTIC POINT OF IT IS A NATIVE HAWAIIAN ISSUE, BUT IT'S A HAWAII ISSUE.

REASON WHY IS EVERY NATIVE HAWAIIAN FAMILY IS A LOCAL FAMILY.

NATIVE HAWAIIANS WILL MARRY INTO EVERY OTHER ETHNICITY.

WE HAVE CHINESE, JAPANESE, KOREAN-HAWAIIANS.

ALL LOCAL.

WITH THOSE 28,000 UNITS THAT TYLER AND OTHERS ARE TRYING TO BUILD, WITH THEIR INNOVATIVE IDEAS, WE'RE PUTTING LOCAL FAMILIES INTO HOMES.

MY FAMILY, WE'RE STILL WAITING.

I WAS BLESSED TO WORK WITH MY MOM AND DAD AND MY SIBLINGS IN ORDER TO PURCHASE A HOME OFF OF HOME LANDS.

WE HAD TO SAY AND SCRAPE TOGETHER AS AUNTY MOKIHANA SAID.

MY PARENTS TOLD ME, WHY YOU COME BACK HOME FOR?

STAY AWAY.

MY SALARY WOULD BE TWICE AS MUCH SOMEWHERE ELSE, AND I WOULD HAVE BUYING POWER AND BE ABLE TO RETIRE AND HAVE MY CHILDREN ENJOY CERTAIN THINGS MORE.

BUT AS AUNTY MOKIHANA SAID, YOU CAN NOT REPLACE THE ALOHA AINA.

YOU CANNOT REPLACE THE OHANA.

OF THIS PLACE WHERE YOU GROW UP.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE ALL, I HEAR, ARE TRYING TO ACTUALLY FIND A WAY FOR.

>>Y UNJI : I THINK THAT YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

THERE IS A LOT OF UNITY ON THIS PANEL IN TERMS OF WANTING TO GO FORWARD.

SENATOR SHIMABUKURO, WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

>> YOU KNOW, WELL, I THINK A LOT OF HOPE.

I THINK DHHL IS REALLY THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX.

THEY HAVE PLANS TO DO MULTIFAMILY HOUSING, WHICH LIKE OTHERS HAVE SHARED.

I'VE WITNESSED SO MANY FRIENDS COWORKERS TELL ME AND THEIR NAMES COME UP, AND THEY CAN'T AFFORD THE MORTGAGE.

I APPLAUD THAT DHHL IS BEING CREATIVE.

RATHER THAN SINGLE FAMILY HOMES, MAKING MULTIFAMILY.

LOOKING AT PUTTING UP APARTMENTS, CONDOMINIUMS AT THE BOWL-A-DROME SITE.

AND WHILE IT'S NOT AS NICE OR BIG AS A SINGLE FAMILY HOME MIGHT BE, IT MIGHT BE MORE AFFORDABLE.

SO THE LEGISLATURE WANTS TO SUPPORT DHHL.

IT WILL FIND WAYS THAT A CONDOMINIUM COULD QUALIFY AS HELPING SOMEONE GET OFF THE WAIT LIST.

THERE ARE QUESTIONS AS TO WHETHER THAT WOULD BE THE SAME.

AND SO SUPPORTING THEM IN THAT WAY YOU KNOW, SOME CONSTITUENTS SUGGESTED OTHER WAYS.

LEGALIZING FIREWORKS.

SOME STATES HAVE DONE THAT.

AND AS WE'VE SEEN IN HAWAII, PEOPLE ARE SURPRISED TO KNOW THAT FIREWORKS WERE ACTUALLY BANNED ABOUT ALMOST TEN YEARS AGO.

YOU WOULD NEVER GUESS THAT LOOKING AT HOW PROLIFERATION THEY ARE.

I HAVE A BILL THAT WOULD LEGALIZE THEM LIMITED FOR ONLY ON FOURTH OF JULY AND NEW YEAR'S EVE AND TAX REVENUE WOULD SUPPORT DHHL.

TRY TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.

HOW CAN WE SUPPORT OUR DEPARTMENTS.

SO THESE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE'RE ALL INVESTIGATING.

>>Y UNJI : WE ONLY HAVE A FEW MORE MINUTES.

MR. GOMES, WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

>> EVERY YEAR THE DEPARTMENT COMES TO THE BUDGET WITH OVER $100 MILLION.

YOU KNOW BY NOW FROM MY SPEECH THAT WE'RE GETTING 20 TO $30 MILLION.

EVERY YEAR, WE HAVE THE PAINFUL TASK OF TELLING COMMUNITIES, YOUR COMMUNITY IS NOT UP THIS YEAR.

WE CAN'T AFFORD TO DO THEM ALL.

FROM HERE ON OUT, IF WE CAN ENCOURAGE BENEFICIARIES TO REACH OUT TO LEGISLATORS AND SAY, WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU?

WHAT IS YOUR SOLUTION?

WHY IS THAT NUMBER NOT BIGGER?

WHY IS OUR COMMUNITY NOT GETTING A HOMESTEAD THIS YEAR?

THAT'S THE KIND OF MESSAGING WE NEED TO GO FOR.

THERE'S IDEAS, BUT WE'VE HAD A HUNDRED YEARS FOR IDEAS.

I THINK UNTIL THAT HAPPENS, WE JUST GOT TO BE ADAMANT ABOUT THE NEED FOR ADEQUATE FUNDING.

AND AS FAR AS THE DEPARTMENT IS CONCERNED, I THINK WE'VE PROVEN WE'VE WILLING TO STEP WAY OUTSIDE THE BOX.

THAT INVITING CONTROVERSY, BUT IT ALSO INVITES EDUCATED AND SOMETIMES HEATED DISCUSSION.

THAT'S USEFUL AND BENEFICIAL.

EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT OUR KULEANA TO COME UP WITH THE FUNDS FOR THIS DEPARTMENT, WE'RE GOING TO KEEP TRYING AS LONG AS WE NEED IT.

IF IT'S NOT GOING TO COME FROM ANYONE ELSE, WE'RE GOING TO DO WHAT A HUNDRED YEARS OF NATIVE HAWAIIANS HAVE DONE BEFORE US.

MAKE IT WORK AND DO WITH WHAT WE'VE HAD.

THAT'S WHAT'S EXPECTED FROM OUR PEOPLE.

THAT'S WHY THEY GAVE US TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND ACRES OF LAND THAT WAS MOSTLY UNUSABLE.

THEY FIGURED WE'D MAKE DO.

FOR ME AND MY GENERATION, I'M NOT COMFORTABLE SITTING AND DOING NOTHING.

SO I THINK WHAT OUR BENEFICIARIES CAN EXPECT FROM THIS DEPARTMENT IS A CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO MOVING THAT LIST AS BEST WE CAN.

IT MAY TAKE A WHILE, BUT YOU CAN EXPECT FRESH IDEAS.

YOU CAN EXPECT TIRELESS ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF OUR BENEFICIARIES AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO GIVE US ON THIS.

>>Y UNJI : WE HAVE LESS THAN A MINUTE.

MR. WAA-KOMODA, I'LL GIVE YOU THE LAST WORD.

WHAT'S YOUR FINAL THOUGHT?

>> WELL, I -- HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING LISTENING TO YOU FOLKS TONIGHT.

I THINK WE NEED TO GET MORE INVOLVED AS BENEFICIARIES IN THIS PUSH TO THE LEGISLATURE, THAT THEY NEED TO HELP US GET OUR PEOPLE ON THE LAND.

BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE -- WE NEED TO GET OUR PEOPLE ON THE LAND.

SO WHATEVER IT TAKES, I'M GOING TO BE MORE PROACTIVE IN THE INVOLVEMENT.

I MAY NOT PUSH FOR THAT CASINO, BUT IT WILL HAVE OTHER THINGS I'LL THINK ABOUT.

EVEN LIKE HEMP.

A LOT OF PEOPLE USE IT NOW, AND IT'S MEDICINAL.

SOMETHING LIKE THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT I WOULD PROBABLY SUPPORT.

>>Y UNJI : THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WISDOM.

THANK YOU FOR OUR PANEL.

AND WE THANK OUR GUESTS -- DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATOR MAILE SHIMABUKURO, REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR KURT FEVELLA, DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS DEPUTY DIRECTOR, TYLER GOMES, AND BENEFICIARIES MOKIHANA WA'A-KOMODA AND ANTHONY MAKANA PARIS.

NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS, ANOTHER CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE... LEGALIZING RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.

WE'LL HEAR FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE DEBATE.

PLEASE DO JOIN US THEN.

I'M YUNJI DE NIES FOR INSIGHT FOR PBS.

ALOHA.