From www.VoteSamKing.com

July 11, 2018

Chair Machado, 

I fully support the forensic audit. When thinking about this topic I asked myself a few questions:

1. How much will it cost?

My understanding is that it will cost about $500k.

2. Would it hurt the beneficiaries?  If so, how? 

I don't see it hurting the beneficiaries at all, except for those beneficiaries stealing money from OHA. Given the profound trust deficit OHA is operating under with respect to the community, this audit is a wise expenditure of $500,000 as it is a first step to rebuilding trust in OHA. This is critical as it is very likely that if a constitutional convention is approved by voters this year, proposals to eliminate OHA will be floated. If OHA is not able to demonstrate that it adds value to the state and is an effective agency providing real benefits to Native Hawaiians, as opposed to cheap money to friends of the Trustees and the CEO, the organization will likely be disbanded. 

3. Since the audit is a good thing, what is the hold up?

This is the most interesting question because I do not know the answer. But it is the question everyone is asking and the fact that we don't know is the reason the delay of the audit is making everyone suspicious. 

Please get the forensic audit started immediately. 

Mahalo,

Samuel Wilder King II