OHA Comptroller Aedward Los Banos and grant specialist Edwina Minglana are greeted by Hana resident Lehua Cosma during a recent visit to help residents prepare their taxes.

HANA (March 21, 2012) - A half dozen Native Hawaiians in Hana who took advantage of free help with filing their taxes will get back nearly $10,000 this tax season.

OHA offered the free service through an IRS program staffed with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance helpers.

The service was also tied to a two-year pilot