123             
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES             H.R. NO.              
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 1999                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                     HOUSE  RESOLUTION

SUPPORTING AND ENCOURAGING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMUNITY
   DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.



 1       WHEREAS, while the economy of the United States as a whole
 2   has clearly improved, the economic climate of the State of
 3   Hawai`i has not; and
 4   
 5       WHEREAS, the Legislature recognizes the challenges of
 6   meeting the economic needs of the people of Hawai`i and has
 7   initiated actions that will provide for diversity and community
 8   participation; and
 9   
10       WHEREAS, the Legislature further recognizes that certain
11   economic challenges are unique to a community or people; and 
12   
13       WHEREAS, the Legislature also recognizes that a community
14   development financial institution can meet those unique
15   economic challenges for our communities; and
16   
17       WHEREAS, the Legislature also recognizes the potential for
18   economic revitalization that the establishment of community
19   development financial institutions can bring to our
20   communities; and
21   
22       WHEREAS, there are five community development financial
23   institutions already operating in Hawai`i today; and
24   
25       WHEREAS, Na Po`e Kokua, Inc., a non-profit native Hawaiian
26   community development corporation, has initiated the
27   development of a Community Development Financial Institution to
28   meet the economic challenges facing the native Hawaiian
29   community; and 
30   
31       WHEREAS, Na Po`e Kokua, Inc., has enlisted the assistance
32   of the Bank of America Community Development Group to lend
33   technical and financial assistance in this endeavor; and
34   
35       WHEREAS, Na Po`e Kokua, Inc., has also enlisted the
36   cooperation and support of the Department of Hawaiian
37   Homelands, the State Council of Hawaiian Homesteaders

 
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 1   Association, Na Kupuna O Hawai`i Nei, the Native Hawaiian
 2   Convention Delegation, and the Nation of Hawai`i in their
 3   efforts to build consensus on this strategy; and
 4   
 5       WHEREAS, Na Po`e Kokua, Inc., continues to work to build
 6   capacity for this endeavor; now, therefore, 
 7    
 8       BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the
 9   Twentieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session
10   of 1999, that the Legislature supports and encourages the
11   development and establishment of Community Development
12   Financial Institutions to further the economic revitalization
13   and diversification of Hawai`i; and 
14   
15       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Commerce and
16   Consumer Protection and the Department of Business, Economic
17   Development, and Tourism are strongly urged to make every
18   effort to further the mission of community development
19   financial institutions to elevate the economic status of
20   depressed communities through small business loans, community
21   initiatives, home mortgages, and other community identified
22   services; and
23   
24       BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this
25   Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Commerce and
26   Consumer Affairs, the Director of Business, Economic
27   Development, and Tourism, the Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes
28   Commission, and the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the
29   Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
30 
31 
32 
33                         OFFERED BY:  ____________________________