Bill > HR56

This 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. Specifically, it calls for "beneficiary consultation," defined as a direct, timely, and interactive process where the DHHL provides at least 45 days for input from beneficiary organizations and individuals through various communication methods, including in-person sessions, mail, email, or social media, before any substantial impact on homestead areas or the disposal of trust lands to non-beneficiaries occurs. The resolution also emphasizes the importance of "homestead beneficiary agreements," which are contracts where non-beneficiary lessees provide community benefits to homestead associations. Furthermore, the DHHL is urged to prioritize leasing to native Hawaiian applicants, refrain from disposing of lands or improvements unless no beneficiaries are on waitlists, and obtain evidence of homestead beneficiary agreements for any land disposition to non-beneficiaries. It also requires the DHHL to notify beneficiaries about any changes to lease criteria and to report quarterly to the Legislature and beneficiaries on land inventory and disposition status, including posting this information online and conducting auctions for waitlisted beneficiaries at least twice a year.