HONOLULU -- The Office of Hawaiian Affairs presented a $3 million check on Thursday to the state's Department of Hawaiian Homelands.

OHA trustees said they will give $3 million to Hawaiian Homelands every year for 30 years to help provide more affordable housing for Native Hawaiians.

"Not only improving the conditions and opportunities for Native Hawaiians, but in the end improving Hawaii," OHA Chairwoman Haunani Apoliona said. "The community, both Hawaiian and non-Hawaiian, called for Native Hawaiian organizations to come together and work together, and that we cannot continue to work in isolation and expect to achieve the goals we've been set out to do."

Department of Hawaiian Homelands Chairman Micah Kane said the partnership is an example of what can be achieved.

The first installment is covering the debt service of about $42 million dollars in revenue bonds for construction.

Kane said that every dollar spent by his department is creating $3 more in private investment, giving the economy a much-needed boost.