comscore Audit finds inappropriate spending of millions by OHA and trustees | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Every act of aloha counts. Click here to DONATE to the MAUI RELIEF Fund.
Top News

Audit finds inappropriate spending of millions by OHA and trustees

Honolulu Star-Advertiser logo
Unlimited access to premium stories for as low as $12.95 /mo.
Get It Now
  • STAR-ADVERTISER / 2011

    OHA Chairperson Colette Machado vowed today to do better and proposed to implement new spending controls. An audit of the agency indicated that some of OHA’s expenditures and discretionary spending do not undergo the rigorous vetting, monitoring and reporting requirements of OHA’s formal grant process.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs and its trustees have engaged in inappropriate spending of millions of dollars over a two-year period, the state Auditor said today.

An audit of the agency, formally released today, indicated that some of OHA’s expenditures and discretionary spending do not undergo the rigorous vetting, monitoring and reporting requirements of OHA’s formal grant process, and other expenditures are approved by OHA’s administration without Board of Trustee vote or even knowledge.

During fiscal year 2015 and 2016, OHA spent nearly double as much on discretionary disbursements — $14 million — as it did on planned, budgeted and properly vetted and monitored grants — $7.7 million, according to the audit, and to fund the unplanned expenditures, OHA adjusted its budget by $8 million and drew from its reserves to cover most of it.

OHA Chairperson Colette Machado vowed today to do better and proposed to implement new spending controls.

Audit of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs by Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Scribd

Comments (103)

By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Terms of Service. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our guidelines.

Having trouble with comments? Learn more here.

Click here to see our full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak. Submit your coronavirus news tip.

Be the first to know
Get web push notifications from Star-Advertiser when the next breaking story happens — it's FREE! You just need a supported web browser.
Subscribe for this feature

Scroll Up