David Y Ige | Media Release: The Hawaiian Homes Commission unanimously approves the Act 279 report and budget

(Kapolei, Oahʻu) – The Hawaiian Homes Commission (HHC) unanimously approved an interim strategic approach to implementing Law 279 (Strategic Approach) at a special commission meeting on Thursday, August 25, 2022.

On May 16, 2022, HHC Chairman William J. Aila, Jr. established an Act 279 Permitted Interaction Group to work with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) to obtain counsel from counsel

various issues related to Law 279 and deliberate on elements that should be included in a final strategic plan.

Committee members include Commissioners Pauline Namuo, Russell Kaupu, Dennis Neves and Chairman William Aila, Jr., as well as key DHHL staff. The committee met five times.

At the HHC regular meeting in July 2022, the Committee presented its draft Strategic Approach and comments from the full Commission were incorporated into the Strategic Approach presented this month.

“The strategic approach is an important first step in effectively utilizing this historic allocation,” said HHC Chairman Ailā. “Importantly, the commission has agreed on the overall approach while allowing DHHL the flexibility to explore potential land acquisitions and innovative solutions to meet the needs of waiting-listed native Hawaiians.”

HHC also approved the Law 279 implementation budget for fiscal year 2022-2023 and authorized the Chair to make adjustments as necessary.

The Strategic Approach is the working document that will ultimately deliver the final strategic plan to the Hawaii State Legislature. The final plan is due December 10, 2022 under Law 279.

The strategic approach and budget, identified as agenda items C-5 and C-6, can be viewed on the Department’s website at dhhl.hawaii.gov/hhc/2022-hawaiian-homes-commission-meeting-schedule.

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About the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands:

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is realizing Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole’s vision of rehabilitating native Hawaiians by bringing them back to the land. Established by U.S. Congress in 1921 with the passage of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, the Hawaiian homesteading program operated by DHHL involves the stewardship of over 200,000 acres of land statewide with the specific purpose of developing and providing homesteading.

Media contact:

Cedric Duarte

Information and Community Relations Officer
Hawaiian Homelands Division
(808) 620-9591

(808) 342-0873

[email protected]