In the first groundbreaking ceremony for a Hawaiian homestead under Governor David Ige’s administration, Acting Governor Shan Tsutsui, community leaders, government officials, and future homesteaders joined Chair Jobie Masagatani, Hawaiian Homes Commissioners and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to celebrate the beginning of construction on what will become the future home for 46 Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries and their families in the first phase of the Kēōkea-Waiohuli subdivision in Kula, Maui.
Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiary Elton “Tui" Suganuma is the new owner of the three-bedroom, two-bath home in Keaukaha, Hilo, Hawaiʻi.
Today, Governor David Ige announced his administration’s proposal to amend DHHL’s operating budget request for fiscal year 2017 from $9.6 million to $23.5 million in general funding, $17.8 million provided directly to DHHL and $5.7 million to Budget & Finance to cover fringe benefits for DHHL employees.
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is disappointed in yesterday's decision by the state attorney general to appeal a recent Circuit Court ruling in the Nelson case, which found the state failed to meet its constitutional duty to sufficiently fund DHHL.
The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands could receive at least $28 million in general funds this coming fiscal year, after a First Circuit Court decision found the State violated its constitutional duty by continually failing to provide adequate funding to DHHL.