Bill > HB581

This bill addresses the ongoing housing needs of Native Hawaiians by appropriating $100,000,000 for each of two fiscal years (2025-2026 and 2026-2027) to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) for new housing construction. The bill provides historical context about the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act (HHCA) of 1920, which set aside approximately 200,000 acres of land across Hawaiian islands to help Native Hawaiians become self-sufficient by providing homesteads. Despite a previous significant appropriation of $600,000,000 in 2022 that is expected to result in over 6,000 new housing units, the DHHL still faces a substantial waitlist of over 28,000 people. The legislature recognizes the importance of fulfilling the original mission of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, who advocated for returning Native Hawaiians to their ancestral lands, and seeks to continue supporting housing development through this new funding allocation. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, and the funds are intended to be used specifically for constructing new housing units for Native Hawaiians.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=581&year=2026