Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

Ewa Drum Site Land Exchange

Background: 

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands acquired TMK Nos. 191182010 and 191182007 in Waiawa, Oahu in 2006 as part of the Federal Government’s Hawaiian Home Lands Recovery Act (HHLRA).

The 1995 Hawaiian Home Lands Recovery Act provides, in part, for the settlement of claims against the United States through the exchange and transfer of Federal lands for the United States’ continued retention of lands initially designated as available lands under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, as amended, and for the lost use of such lands. 

Under the HHLRA, the Department can sell property up to that value that was deemed lands give to Hawaiian Home Lands to satisfy any potential income losses.

• May 23, 2006, the Hawaiian Homes Commission authorizes the Chairman to carry out necessary actions to complete a land exchange with the City & County of Honolulu for DHHL’s 55-acre Ewa Drum site.
• January 27, 2009, the Hawaiian Homes Commission establishes a Beneficiary Consultation Policy.
• July 29, 2009, DHHL conducted a Beneficiary Consultation for a proposed land exchange with the City & County of Honolulu.
• October 20, 2009, the Hawaiian Homes Commission gave its approval of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DHHL and the City & County of Honolulu.
• December 16, 2009, the Honolulu City Council subsequently adopts CR-391 and Resolution 09-343, CD1 on the proposed land exchange.

Following these actions, Beneficiary Consultation meetings were conducted:

• January 13, 2010 in Kapolei
• January 14, 2010 at the Hawaii State Capitol
• January 14, 2010 in Wailuku, Maui
• January 15, 2010 in Hilo

Status:           

The City and County of Honolulu has a license from DHHL for the use of the Ewa Drum site. DHHL has a license for the use of the Varona Village site. Neither party shall allow liens or other encumbrances to attach to any parts of the other agency’s property and licenses will conclude upon the completion of the land exchange. The City and County of Honolulu and DHHL have agreed to use U.S. Department of the Interior’s appraisal process. A final appraisal was established, presented, and unanimously adopted by the City & County of Honolulu City Council, at its June 1, 2022, regular meeting under CR-147 Resolution 22-131.

1	Agency	Office of Hawaiian Relations, U.S. Department of the Interior
2	Proposed Action or Issue for Discussion	Acquisition of Vacant Varona and Parcels in exchange for Ewa Drum Site
3	Notification	DOI Consultation Notice
4	Presentation and Feedback	Consultation Ewa Drum and Strategic Plan Varona Ewa Drum Consultation
5	Background Information	Ewa Drum Varona HHC Action – October 20, 2009 Ewa Drum HHC Action – July 7, 2009 DOI Letter – August 19, 2009 Background History Ewa Drum – May 23, 2006
6	Draft Report with Comments	Beneficiary Consultation Notes – January 13, 2010
7	HHC Minutes	Hawaiian Homes Commission Submittal – Oct. 2009
8	DHHL License	City & County of Honolulu License