Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

As statewide meetings with beneficiary leaders continue to discuss the Nelson v. Hawaiian Homes Commission lawsuit and the DHHL Budget, many of our beneficiaries are asking the Department what beneficiaries can do to kōkua?

As some of you may know, the 2013 Legislative Session is a critical one for the future of the Hawaiian home lands trust and its beneficiaries in light of a recent Hawaiʻi Supreme Court ruling in Nelson v. HHC. On May 9, 2012, the Supreme Court ruled that the State must provide DHHL with adequate funding or “sufficient sums” for administrative and operating expenses, but did not specify an exact amount. While the DHHL can ask for sufficient sums, it is still up to the legislature to appropriate these resources.

This is where we need your kōkua. Speak to all the state Representatives and Senators you know to support sufficient funding for DHHL. Encourage your family, friends, and community to also lend support. But above all, stay informed on what is happening with the DHHL budget request as it moves through the legislature.

We’ve also prepared a Kōkua Form (Click here to download) – a fill-able PDF that you can download, complete, and e-mail back to us, to let us know how YOU want to kōkua.

Learn more about the Nelson ruling and DHHL’s budget request:

• Nelson Case Summary
• DHHL Funding v. Workload
• Understanding DHHL’s Budget Request
• Governor’s Budget Request

Don’t forget to contact your Hawaiʻi State Representatives and Senators. Download the following lists of legislators complete with their contact information:

• Kauaʻi Legislators
  
• Oʻahu Legislators
• Maui, Molokaʻi & Lānaʻi Legislators
• Hawaiʻi Legislators