[§346-144]  Application; approval;statement; return.  (a)  A person desiring to return to the person'shomeland may make application to the director.  The application shall includeevidence from a recognized agency or other acceptable means to ensure that theperson's health and welfare will be protected upon return to the person'shomeland.  The director shall examine the application and determine whether theperson is a qualified person and the person's health and welfare will beprotected.  If the director determines that the person is a qualified person,the person's health and welfare will be protected, and funds are available, thedirector shall approve the application.  Upon approval, the qualified personshall be required to sign a statement of intent to take up permanent residencein the qualified person's homeland.  Upon signing the statement, the directorshall enter into a contract as provided under section 346-143 to providetransportation assistance for the qualified person.

(b)  A person who has used the transportationassistance under this part and returns to and reestablishes residency in Hawaiishall repay to the State the amount of the transportation assistance used inreturning to the person's homeland with interest.  The rate of interest shallbe established by the director by rule under chapter 91.

(c)  The statement of intent under subsection(a) shall explain the requirements for reestablishing residency in Hawaii andindicate that the qualified person understands these requirements.

(d)  A person shall not be eligible to use thetransportation assistance under this chapter more than once in the person'slifetime. [L 1980, c 276, pt of §2]