Bill > HCR62

This Concurrent Resolution urges the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), an agency responsible for managing lands set aside for native Hawaiians under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1921, to actively involve its beneficiaries in decisions regarding the disposition of these lands. Key provisions include requiring the DHHL to conduct "beneficiary consultation" before any disposal of Hawaiian home lands, which is defined as a direct, timely, and interactive process where the DHHL provides at least 45 days for input from beneficiary organizations on actions that substantially affect homestead areas or involve the transfer of trust lands to non-beneficiaries, utilizing various communication methods like in-person sessions, mail, email, or social media. The resolution also calls for the DHHL to prioritize leasing to native Hawaiian applicants on waitlists before considering non-beneficiary leases, to ensure non-beneficiary lessees enter into "homestead beneficiary agreements" (contracts with homestead associations for community benefits), and to notify beneficiaries about any changes to leasing criteria or the status of funds in specific Hawaiian home lands accounts. Furthermore, the DHHL is urged to provide quarterly reports to the Legislature and beneficiaries on property disposition and to maintain this information on its website, while also conducting auctions for beneficiaries at least twice a year.