USDA ANNOUNCES COMMITMENT TO HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS
HONOLULU—The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) signed an unprecedented Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today, establishing a basis for cooperation and assistance to achieve rural homeownership, economic growth, and agricultural sustainability for native Hawaiians.
Deputy Secretary of USDA James R. Moseley said the MOU is the first ever of its kind and is a written commitment on behalf of the USDA, Rural Development, to work directly with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.
“This Memorandum of Understanding is really the foundation upon which we will build a strong working relationship directly with the department and it also formalizes the discussions I have had with Governor Lingle and Director Kane,” said Moseley. “We recognize and support the important mission of Hawaiian Home Lands and the benefits they bring to the entire state.”
Governor Lingle said the Deputy Secretary understands the unique mission of Hawaiian Home Lands to put people on the land and create economic sustainability that will improve the quality of life for everyone in the state.
“When we provide the opportunity for homeownership or economic growth to native Hawaiians, our whole state benefits,” Governor Lingle said. “Deputy Secretary Moseley and USDA Rural Development branch recognize the positive impact Hawaiian Home Lands can have on our state. They have shown a unique commitment to work directly with Director Kane to improve the quality of life for our residents.”
DHHL Director, Micah Kane said the agreement to work together is already manifesting itself with Rural Development’s creation of a working group within the department to specifically support DHHL’s funding efforts.
“We’ve met with Secretary Moseley on several occasions and have given him our vision and needs over the long term,” said Kane. “The working group is a pilot project that was created to specifically help DHHL’s funding requests. This is a big first step and we look forward to many more in the months and years ahead.”
Kane said the department’s goals and the manner in which they are achieved are attractive to USDA, Rural Development.
“We believe we need to leverage all of our resources, and public and private partnerships assure the greatest return on investment,” said Kane. “This MOU is in itself a new partnership to help put native Hawaiians on the land, and we are looking forward to building from this foundation.”
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For more information, contact:
Micah Kane
Director, DHHL
Phone: 587-6495
Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: 586-7705
Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: 586-0043
