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Honomū Phase 2 – Agricultural Project Lease Orientation

Overview

Upcoming Events

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) is pleased to reach out to applicants on the Hawai’i Islandwide Agricultural Wait List with application dates up to 12/27/1985, regarding an opportunity to receive an award for a non-parceled, undivided interest project lease on the Island of Hawai’i.

OFFER LETTER
RESPONSE FORM

Honomū Phase 2 Agricultural Project Lease Awards

When: Saturday, March 21, 2026

Location: Keaukaha Elementary School, 240 Desha Ave, Hilo, HI 96720

Registration: 8:30 a.m

Program Start: 9:30 a.m.

Project Area

Drone Footage

Orientation Meeting

Presentation Slides

Panaewa Orientation_10January2026Download

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Anyone who submits a response form will receive a lot selection invitation letter. Invitations are not based on selection yet—selection happens on March 21, 2026, based on ranked order. If all 50 lots are selected before your name is called, you may not get a lot, but you will still receive the invitation.

The deadline to submit the response form is February 20, 2026. Once established, DHHL will notify applicants. Only those who submit a response form by the deadline will be invited to the lot selection meeting.

DHHL is offering one-acre subsistence agricultural lots in Honomū. These lots:  

  • Do not require a farm plan. 
  • Allow for residential use. You may build a home, but it is not required. 
  • Allow for livestock. 

No. Farming is optional on subsistence agricultural lots. You may use the lot for residential purposes without submitting a farm plan. 

No. The Honomū project consists only of one-acre subsistence agricultural lots.  

Development will occur in phases. Each phase is estimated to take approximately 1.5 years to complete. 

  • Phase 2A: Estimated to begin August 2026 and be completed by February 2028 
  • Phase 2B: Estimated to begin February 2027 and be completed by August 2028 

These timelines are estimates and may change due to permitting, weather, or construction conditions. 

The following infrastructure is planned for the Honomū project: 

  • Access/Roads: Asphalt concrete (AC) paved roadways will be constructed and are anticipated to be turned over to the County for long-term maintenance. 
  • Water: Individual rainwater catchment systems. Lessees will be responsible for installing their own systems. 
  • Wastewater: There is no County sewer system in the area. Lessees who choose to build a residence will need to install their own individual wastewater system (IWS). 
  • Electricity: Street lights and electrical lines will be installed along the roadways. Lessees who choose to bring electricity onto their lot will need to coordinate directly with Hawaiian Electric. 
  • Telecommunications: Telecommunications service will not be provided to individual lots. Lessees may work directly with a service provider if they choose to obtain service. 

Yes, basic infrastructure will be available along the roadways; however, most utilities will require individual installation by the lessee. 

Yes, but lessees receive a seven-year real property tax exemption starting from the lease commencement date. After the exemption period ends, property taxes will be billed by the County of Hawaiʻi. 

Yes, but you may only live on one DHHL residence at a time. If you choose to live on your Honomū lot, you must transfer your existing residential lease to a qualified Native Hawaiian or eligible successor. 

Lot selection will NOT happen on March 21, 2026. Instead, project leases will be awarded based on applicant ranking. Applicants will be called in order during the Project Lease Awards on March 21, 2026. The actual lot selection will occur later, after infrastructure is completed, based on the projected timeline. Your project lease secures your subsistence agriculture lot in Honomū until then.  

If all lots are selected before your name is called, you will not receive a lot from this phase. However, your application remains active for future phases or projects. 

If you are awarded a lease and live off-island, you have up to three years to relocate. During that time, you are still responsible for maintaining the lot. 

No. Once you accept and sign an agricultural lease, your application is removed from the waitlist. You may reapply only after transferring your lease to a qualified successor, and you would be placed at the bottom of the list.

Honomū Phase 1 Blessing

In October 2025, a blessing ceremony was held for the beneficiaries of the Honomū Phase 1 subsistence agricultural lots.