Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
Name	Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
Formed	July 9, 1921
Jurisdiction	State of Hawaii
Headquarters	Kapolei, Oahu
Chief1 name	Kali Watson
Chief1 position	Chairman
Parent agency	Governor's Cabinet
Website	dhhl.hawaii.gov

Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is a state agency within the Government of Hawaii responsible for administering the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1921. Its primary mission is to manage over 200,000 acres of trust lands for the benefit of native Hawaiians, providing long-term homestead leases for residential, agricultural, and pastoral use. The department operates under the oversight of the Hawaiian Homes Commission and is a critical part of the state's efforts to address the socioeconomic needs of the native Hawaiian community.

History

The department's origins are rooted in the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, a federal law signed by President Warren G. Harding in 1921. This legislation was largely championed by Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, the territorial delegate to the United States Congress. The act was created in response to the significant decline in the native Hawaiian population and loss of land following the Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom and subsequent annexation by the United States. Initially administered by the federal Department of the Interior, control was transferred to the newly formed State of Hawaii upon its admission to the Union in 1959, as stipulated in the Hawaii Admission Act. The State Constitution of Hawaii explicitly incorporated the responsibilities of the trust.

Governance and administration

The department is led by an executive board known as the Hawaiian Homes Commission, whose members are appointed by the Governor of Hawaii and confirmed by the Hawaii State Senate. The commission's chairman, currently Kali Watson, also serves as the department's director and is a member of the governor's cabinet. Administrative operations are divided into several divisions, including the Homestead Services Division and the Land Management Division, which handle applicant services and property stewardship, respectively. The agency's main offices are located in Kapolei on the island of Oahu, with regional offices on Hawaii Island, Maui, Molokai, and Kauai.

Land holdings and homestead programs

The trust portfolio consists of approximately 203,000 acres across the Hawaiian Islands, with significant holdings on Hawaii Island, Maui, Molokai, and Kauai. These lands are designated for three primary types of homestead leases: residential, agricultural, and pastoral. The residential program is the most active, developing lots for single-family homes, as seen in communities like Kapolei and Panaewa. Agricultural leases support farming ventures, while pastoral leases are used for ranching activities. The department also engages in commercial leasing of non-homestead lands, with revenue directed back into trust programs and infrastructure development.

Eligibility and application process

Eligibility for a homestead lease is restricted by law to individuals of at least 50 percent native Hawaiian ancestry, as defined by the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. Applicants must prove their ancestry through documents such as birth certificates and must be at least eighteen years old. The process involves submitting an application to the department, after which applicants are placed on a waitlist that can span decades due to high demand and limited available lots. Priority is sometimes given based on specific criteria, such as geographic preference or veteran status. Successful applicants are awarded a 99-year lease for a nominal annual rent.

Controversies and legal challenges

The department has faced significant criticism and litigation over its management of the trust. Major controversies include the lengthy waitlists, which have left thousands of eligible beneficiaries without land for generations. Legal battles, such as the landmark Kalima v. State of Hawaii class-action lawsuit, have addressed the state's alleged breaches of trust and resulted in substantial settlements. There have also been disputes over the department's decisions to issue non-homestead commercial leases to entities like the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation and the United States Army, which critics argue divert resources from the primary mission. Allegations of mismanagement and lack of transparency have been frequent subjects of audits by the Hawaii State Auditor and scrutiny from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Recent developments and future outlook

Recent legislative actions have aimed to address the trust's longstanding challenges. A historic settlement in 2022, mediated by the Hawaii State Legislature, provided a $600 million appropriation to the department to develop infrastructure and new homesteads. Under the leadership of Kali Watson, the department has launched initiatives to accelerate housing development, including partnerships with entities like the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Future plans focus on developing projects in areas such as Pupukea on Oahu and Kauai's Anahola region. Ongoing challenges include navigating complex land titles, environmental regulations, and continuing to reduce the extensive waitlist while upholding the fiduciary duties established by the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act.

Category:State agencies of Hawaii Category:Native Hawaiian politics Category:1921 establishments in Hawaii