DHHL Geothermal Resources
Purpose
This meeting series will share information regarding geothermal resources including: past decision-making and actions, current Departmental plans and policies, and proposed next steps to best understand the resource. DHHL staff and consultants will share updates with the beneficiary community, and create opportunities for participants to ask clarifying questions and share mana‘o with the Department.
In-Person Beneficiary Informational Briefings
Comment Period
Comment period open until July 31, 2026.
Submit comments online here or scan QR code.
Submit comments via email at [email protected].
Resources
Chair Kali Watson Visits Tauhara North No. 2 Trust
(Images: November 2025)
Why is This Called an Informational Briefing?
“Beneficiary consultation” refers to DHHL’s beneficiary consultation policy (2009) which identifies four (4) primary triggers for a formal beneficiary consultation.
These triggers are:
- DHHL plans or updates to plans
- Statewide policy changes (like administrative rule updates)
- Changes to land use designations
- Long-term land dispositions for non-homesteading use
Additionally, DHHL’s Water Policy Plan (2014), Priority Policy #4 states:
4. Affirmatively communicate our decisions, our reasoning, and our performance in managing, stewarding, and using water before and after making major water decisions.
This can be considered an added trigger for beneficiary consultation.
A formal beneficiary consultation includes: a meeting + a 30-day comment period for consultation. Once completed, the DHHL Planning Office prepares a Beneficiary Consultation Report, which is taken for action to the Hawaiian Homes Commission, where Commissioners are asked to accept the Report as having fulfilled the DHHL Beneficiary Consultation Policy (2009).
These Geothermal Informational Briefings are being conducted statewide to open discussion with beneficiaries regarding DHHL’s Geothermal resources and potential future initiatives. These Informational Briefings do not take the place of formal beneficiary consultation. Should any geothermal initiatives be pursued, DHHL is required to conduct formal beneficiary consultation prior to any land disposition for geothermal use, as this constitutes a non-homestead use and triggers beneficiary consultation.
For more information on the informational briefings, please contact Lilliane Makaila, DHHL Planning office at [email protected] or (808) 730-0352.
For more information on the DHHL’s Geothermal initiatives, please contact Russell Ka‘upu, DHHL Office of the Chair at [email protected] or 808 730-0168.