There is nothing permanent about the partial settlement over the ceded lands settlement the state struck with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Not that this is a bad thing. A temporary quieting of the dispute over what is due Hawaiians for the lands that once belonged to the kingdom at least offers OHA a more stable revenue stream, which could ease the planning and execution of its programs.

But the deal, struck last week by the Lingle administration and OHA officials, still must be ratified. There are questions about the amounts: What basis was used to calculate the $15 million annual payment, or the $17.5 million lump-sum payment? Then there's the issue of the other pending lawsuits — will the remaining court battles that involve the Native Hawaiian trust funds affect this deal?

These are questions both OHA trustees and state lawmakers must explore before the accord is inked.

However, this agreement should be viewed as only an incremental step toward what taxpayers long to see: a final settlement of the Hawaiian ceded lands issue. Payments streaming out of state coffers without an end in sight only perpetuate a breach that should be healed.

Whatever its flaws, the bill that would establish federal recognition would mark the beginning of resolution.

With recognition would come the formation of a political body that could represent Hawaiian interests in negotiations. The state should be credited with everything it has paid into the final settlement up to that point.

As problematic as the formation of that political entity might seem, the public could keep an eye on the prize: Hawaiian leaders having control of Hawaiian resources, with full accountability to their constituents and to their duties as American citizens.

The seemingly interminable dispute might finally end. What a relief that would be.