Administrative Rules – Pilina-Based Priority Waitlist

Proposed Amendment to Establish a Pilina-Based Priority Waitlist

From 2020–2024, DHHL worked with beneficiaries across rural homestead areas to master plan new homestead communities. Throughout these meetings, beneficiaries voiced strong concerns about awarding 99-year leases to applicants with no ties to the area. They warned that bringing in large numbers of new residents without pilina to place could permanently alter the cultural fabric of the community, strain already limited infrastructure, and disrupt longstanding cultural practices. They emphasized that losing local knowledge of moʻolelo, traditions, and resource management practices could harm fragile natural resources—such as streams, nearshore fisheries, and shoreline resources that local families depend on for food and have cared for over many generations. 

At the same time, beneficiaries saw the benefits and important contributions that a new homestead could bring to the community—especially when new residents have pilina to place. They emphasized that: 

• A new homestead development would allow families to return home, providing strong support systems and long-term family legacies. 

• Lineal descendants and long-term residents have the ‘ike kupuna; they know the moʻolelo, wahi pana, and have kuleana to manage the natural and cultural resources of the area. 

• Strong family networks and generational knowledge support successful homestead settlement and enduring sustainable practices. 

• Those with ancestral ties understand and embrace their kuleana to care for their lands. 

To honor and respond to these beneficiary concerns and priorities, DHHL proposes to amend the Hawai‘i Administrative Rules (HAR §10-3-12) to establish a Pilina-Based Priority Waitlist for each homestead where leases will be awarded. 

How the Pilina-Based Priority Waitlist Works

Homestead master plans identify how many homestead lots will be developed and what type of leases (residential, agricultural, or pastoral) will be awarded. When DHHL is preparing to award those leases, the Department will notify all applicants on the corresponding islandwide waitlist(s)—for example, if residential leases will be awarded, all applicants on the islandwide residential waitlist will be notified; if agricultural leases will be awarded, islandwide agricultural waitlist applicants will be notified; and if pastoral leases will be awarded, islandwide pastoral waitlist applicants will be notified—that applications are being accepted for the Pilina-Based Priority Waitlist for that area. 

Applicants qualify for the Pilina-Based Priority Waitlist if they can document and DHHL can verify that they are: 

1. A current or former resident who lived in the area for at least 18 years; or 
2. A Lineal Descendant of an ancestor who lived in the area prior to 1900. 

Documents that can be submitted to prove former or current residency in the area include: 

• A government issued identification card with picture and home address; 
• School district records; 
• Utility bill with a home address;
• Bank statement with a home address; or 
• Any other applicable information that helps establish current or former residency.

Documents that can be submitted to prove an applicant’s familial connection to the area include: 

• Documented genealogy to biological or legal ancestors who resided in the place prior to 1900;
• Birth certificates;
• Death certificates;
• Obituaries;
• Marriage certificates;
• Probate records;
• Church records;
• Census records;
• Tax records; 
• Land conveyance documents, including but not limited to deeds and land commission awards;
• Oral family history;
• Any other applicable information that helps establish a familial connection between the applicant and the place.

The Department verifies the documents submitted in the application and determines if the applicant qualifies to be placed on the Pilina-Based Priority Waitlist.  If an applicant disagrees with the determination by the Department, the applicant has 30 business days from the date of the written notice of the determination to contest the determination. 

How the “Area” or “Place” is Determined

The area that applicants must show pilina to should be defined in the master plan or settlement plan for the homestead project. 

• The area may be larger than the footprint of the homestead community. 
• For existing homesteads with plans for additional phases, the area is defined by the location and description of the tract of land included in the master plan or settlement plan that was approved by the commission. 

Order of Homestead Awards

1. Area Waiting List (if one exists) 
2. Pilina-Based Priority Waitlist 
3. Islandwide Waitlist 

What Happens After Leases Are Awarded

• If an applicant on the Pilina-Based Priority Waitlist is awarded a homestead lease, the applicant is removed from the islandwide waitlist for the type of lot awarded. 
• If the Pilina-Based Priority Waitlist is exhausted and lots still remain, DHHL will award the remaining lots using the islandwide waitlist. 
• The Pilina-Based Priority Waitlist expires when all lots in the homestead development are awarded.   
• If all lots are awarded but applicants remain on the Pilina-Based Priority Waitlist, those applicants will return to the islandwide waitlist in their original rank order (by date of application). 
• Those applicants who did not receive a lease award may apply for a Pilina-Based Priority Waitlist in another area if they meet the qualifications. Applicants can only be on one Pilina-Based Priority list at any time.
• Applicants can only receive one homestead lease through the Pilina-Based Priority waiting list.

Maui Public Hearing

Monday, July 6, 2026 – 5 p.m. (HST) 

Paukūkalo Community Center  

657 Kaumuali‘i Street, Wailuku, Maui 96793 

An Informational Briefing will be held first to explain the proposed amendments and answer questions.  

The formal public hearing will follow. During the hearing, DHHL may only receive testimony. 

Proposed Rule Amendments

• Download Proposed Rule Amendments – Pilina-Based Priority Waitlist 

How to Submit Testimony

Provide your name, resident address, and status (Lessee, Applicant, or General Public). 

• Oral testimony: May be given in person at the public hearing (Three minute limit). 
• Written testimony: May be submitted in person at the public hearing.  Written testimony will be accepted after the public hearing if it is submitted by email to [email protected]. Deadline for written comments: Wednesday, July 8, 2026. 

HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION MEETING, FEB. 2026

• Item G-1 with Exhibits A to D
• Exhibit E: Proposed Rule Amendments
  • Resources: Proposed Rule Amendments, February 11, 2026
• Exhibit F: Public Hearing Testimonies  

PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) will conduct a virtual public hearing and a hybrid public hearing that provides both in-person and virtual participation. The purpose of the public hearings is for DHHL to receive oral and/or written comments on proposed administrative rule amendments that will establish a Pilina-Based Priority Waitlist for Hawaiian Home Lands homestead lease awards.  

An Informational Briefing will be held as an introduction, before the formal public hearing begins, in order to explain the proposed amendments and answer questions. DHHL will then start the public hearing to receive testimonies.  During the public hearing, DHHL can only receive testimony.

Description of Proposed Amendments: DHHL is proposing amendments to Hawai‘i Administrative Rules (HAR) Section 10-3-7 Priority and Preference for Award of Leases, and is adding a new Section 10-3-12 Awards to Applicants Who are Lineal Descendants or Previous or Existing Residents. The proposed rule amendments establish a “Pilina-Based Priority Waitlist” for each homestead area where homestead leases will be awarded.  Before DHHL awards homestead leases, it will notify all applicants on the respective islandwide waitlist (agricultural, residential, pastoral) that the Department is accepting applications for the Pilina-Based Priority Waitlist for the homestead area. To qualify for the Pilina-Based Priority Waitlist, existing  applicants must document and DHHL must verify that the applicant is:

1. A former or current resident who has resided in the area for at least 18 years; or

2. A Lineal Descendant with ancestors who resided in the area prior to 1900. 

If the applicant’s documents are verified by DHHL, the applicant will be placed on the Pilina-Based Priority Waitlist by date of application.  When DHHL awards homestead leases, if an “Area Waiting List” exists, homestead leases would be awarded first to those on the Area Waitlist.  When the Area Waitlist is exhausted or if there is no Area Waitlist, DHHL will award homestead leases to applicants on the Pilina-Based Priority Waitlist.  If the Pilina-Based Priority Waitlist is exhausted, DHHL will award homestead leases to applicants on the respective Island-wide Waitlist.

This rule amendment gives preference to lineal descendants and long-term residents of the homestead area when homestead leases are awarded. This rule is intended to award 99-year homestead leases to applicants who have ancestral ties to the homestead area. This amendment supports the continued presence of family lines on their ancestral lands so they may strengthen their pilina to place, exercise their kuleana and knowledge of natural and cultural resources, wahi pana, cultural traditions, and practices.  Maintaining family ties to their ancestral lands strengthens family networks, preserves cultural knowledge, and promotes successful homestead settlement.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

• September 2025 HHC Meeting, Submittal G-2 Approval to Proceed to Public Hearing for a Proposed Administrative Rule to Establish a Priority Waitlist for Applicants with a Connection to a Place
• Public Notice published in all newspapers statewide
• Presentation
• Oral and Written Testimonies

BENEFICIARY CONSULTATION MEETING HANDOUTS

• Presentation PowerPoint Slides
• Proposal #1 – Proposed Pilina-Based Priority Waitlist Rules
• Proposal #2 – Leave of Absence Handout
• Administrative Rule Amendments to Create a Pilina-Based Priority Waitlist
• Statewide Meetings
• Beneficiary Exit Comment Sheet (email to [email protected])
• September 2025 HHC Meeting, Submittal G-1 Beneficiary Consultation Report”

CONTACT INFORMATION

For more information, please contact:
[email protected]

BENEFICIARY CONSULTATION