Bill > SB1654

This bill addresses land transfers to support the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), which was established by the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920 to provide land for native Hawaiians. The bill recognizes that DHHL currently manages 203,981 acres of trust lands and has 10,045 homestead leases, but still faces a significant challenge with 29,451 applicants on the waitlist for residential, agricultural, or pastoral leases. Currently, only about 5% of DHHL's land holdings are designated for residential use, while over 63% are designated for agriculture, special districts, or conservation. To help address this land scarcity, the bill authorizes the transfer of fee simple interest in certain lands from unspecified state agencies to DHHL, including any existing improvements on those lands. This transfer is intended to support the state's constitutional commitment to the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and help further the rehabilitation and land needs of native Hawaiians. The bill will take effect immediately upon approval, providing a direct mechanism for expanding available lands for native Hawaiian homesteading.

Government Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1654&year=2026