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DRAFT: DHHL GOVERNMENT RELATIONS 2.0

2026 Legislative Session

Every year, DHHL prepares and submits legislative proposals for inclusion in the Governor’s Administrative Package for the next session of the Hawaii State Legislature.

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Our lāhui, their vote. Mai pa’a i ka leo.

Whether it’s the development of housing, ‘āina conservation, or economic development — your manaʻo plays a key role in enhancing our ability to meet the needs of our beneficiaries.

SUBMIT TESTIMONY

Draft Legislative Proposals

HOUSING

Exempts any development of homestead lots or housing for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands from general excise and use taxes.

TAX EXEMPTION

Exempts all development projects for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands from general excise and use taxes.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS

Allows the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to assume review of the effect of any proposed project on historic properties or burial sites for lands under its jurisdiction. Request an appropriation for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) position to be filled by a historic preservation specialist.

HAWAI’I HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Adds the Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission or the Chairperson’s designee to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation as a voting member.

HAWAI’I COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Adds the Chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission or the Chairperson’s designee to the Hawaii Community Development Authority as a voting member.

DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS (GEOTHERMAL)

Request an appropriation of $20,000,000 dollars for the next steps in the investigation, exploration, and identification of geothermal resources on Hawaiian Home Lands.

LAND TRANSFERS

Authorizes the transfer of certain lands under the jurisdiction of certain State agencies to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT, 1920, AS AMENDED (LOAN GUARANTEE INCREASE)

Amends Section 214 of the HHCA to increase the limit of the State’s liability for moneys borrowed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands or loans made to lessees that are guaranteed by the Department from $100,000,000 to $500,000,000.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Request an appropriation of funds for projects that meet the criteria of Act 96, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025.

HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT, 1920, AS AMENDED (LEASE CONDITION FOR CRIMINAL ACTIVITY)

Amends section 208 of the HHCA to prohibit lessees, any other person who resides in or has access to the premises through the lessee, or any member of the public from violating any federal, state, or local law, or activity that threatens the health, safety, or right to peaceful enjoyment of the lessee or other persons residing on the leased premises or neighboring properties and neighboring residents.

HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT, 1920, AS AMENDED (NIECES AND NEPHEWS)

Amends section 208 and section 209 of the HHCA to include nieces and nephews as qualifying relatives of lessees for the purposes of lease transfer and lease successorship.

TAX REVENUES

Beginning on 1/1/2027, increases transient accommodations tax rates by 1 percentage point and deposits the increased revenues into the Hawaiian Home General Loan Fund established under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, as amended.

LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDITS

Converts the Rental Housing Revolving Fund into a Low Interest Loan for Department of Hawaiian Home Lands projects developed with LIHTC.

Proposal Guidelines

Proposals must be good public policy; address the department’s operations, programs, regulations, processes, budget and/or resources; and create a benefit or an advantage for the department, the trust, or trust beneficiaries, or otherwise correct a deficiency. Authors of proposals should keep in mind that amendments to the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, require review by the U.S. Department of the Interior and may require the consent of the U.S. Congress prior to implementation.

Review and Consideration

Staff will review and evaluate all proposals and will determine which will be submitted for consideration for the Governor’s Administrative Package. The proposals to be submitted to the Governor will be approved by the Hawaiian Homes Commission. Proposals not submitted to the Governor may be introduced independent of the administrative package. Please note that the Governor may also choose not to include proposals submitted by the Commission.

Legislative Timeline

  1. June 16, 2025

    DHHL solicits legislative proposals.

  2. July 28, 2025

    Deadline to submit legislative proposals to DHHL.

  3. August 18, 2025

    DHHL submits draft legislative proposals to the Hawaiian Homes Commission.

  4. September 15, 2025

    HHC approves legislative proposals to move forward for consideration for the Governor’s Administrative Package.

    Watch HHC meeting here.

The deadline for proposals was Monday, July 28, 2025.

Upcoming Hearings

DATEEVENT
January 8, 2026Hearing WAM-HWN
Information Briefing
10 a.m.
Conference Room 211
January 8, 2026Hearing FIN
Informational Briefing
1 p.m.
Conference Room 308

Act 279

Act 279, SLH 2022, appropriates $600 million in general funds to provide a multi­-pronged approach to reduce the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Waiting List. The $600 million will address the needs of beneficiaries on the waitlist and those still waiting to get on the land.

Learn More

Resources

Act 279 Working Group Meeting Booklet DraftDownload

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