Bill > SCR188

This Concurrent Resolution urges the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), a state agency responsible for managing lands set aside for native Hawaiians, to actively involve its beneficiaries in decisions regarding the disposition of Hawaiian home lands. Specifically, it calls for "beneficiary consultation," defined as a timely and interactive process where the DHHL provides at least 45 days for input from native Hawaiian beneficiaries and their organizations on actions that significantly affect homestead areas or involve transferring land to non-beneficiaries. This consultation should include various communication methods and direct notification to registered beneficiary organizations. The resolution also encourages the DHHL to prioritize leasing these lands to native Hawaiians on waiting lists before considering other dispositions, to ensure any agreements with non-beneficiaries include community benefits through a "homestead beneficiary agreement" (a contract where non-beneficiary lessees provide amenities and funding to homestead associations), and to be transparent about land inventory and financial earnings. Furthermore, the DHHL is urged to provide quarterly reports to the Legislature and beneficiaries on property disposition and to conduct auctions for beneficiaries at least twice a year.