Beneficiary Consultation Policy

Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
Beneficiary Consultation Policy

1. Policy Statement

Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Beneficiary Consultation Policy Summary Points

As an agency entrusted to administer, manage, and invest trust resources to accomplish a variety of goals and objectives that benefit native Hawaiians and their successors, the Hawaiian Homes Commission and Department of Hawaiian Home Lands recognizes that meaningful, timely and effective beneficiary consultation is essential to the successful implementation of Commission/Department policies, programs and projects.

Meaningful beneficiary consultation helps promote civic engagement and governance. It builds trust in government and lays a foundation for future partnership.

Timely beneficiary consultation ensures that beneficiary concerns and comments are considered when decisions are being made.

Effective beneficiary consultation improves the quality and effectiveness of our plans and decisions.

2. Who is a “Beneficiary”?

DHHL beneficiaries are defined as all native Hawaiian s (50% or more Hawaiian) and their successors. This includes:

  • Existing lessees (residential, agricultural, and pastoral);
  • Applicants on the Wait List; and
  • Native Hawaiians who have not applied for a homestead award.

3. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that appropriate beneficiary consultation processes and activities are incorporated into our planning and decision-making, and that they are consistent with the goals, objectives, and guiding principles identified below.

4. Consultation Goals and Objectives

A. To formalize existing consultation processes that properly include and con- sider beneficiary concerns throughout the process

B. To use various methods to disseminate information and gather input

C. To establish a predictable procedure for timely consultation

D. To ensure that decisions are not made on the spot, but over time, in a larger policy, program or geographic (regional) context

E. To identify where beneficiary consultation can be most effective in DHHL’s planning and development process

5. Consultation Guiding Principles

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that appropriate beneficiary consultation processes and activities are incorporated into planning and decision-making, and that they are consistent with these guiding principles:

A. Timely and Consistent Consultation Builds Relationships, Trust and Beneficiary Capacity:

The foundation for successful beneficiary consultation is opening channels of communication early with beneficiaries and stakeholders, and developing collaborative working relationships with them. Effective beneficiary consultation activities should leave individuals and communities stronger and with increased capacity to influence their livability.

B. Consultation is Inclusive and Respectful:

Efforts will be made to identify, invite and encourage beneficiaries and stakeholders to be involved early in the planning process. Consultation requires proper outreach—to the right people, at the right time. Early beneficiary consultation allows careful and respectful consideration of their input, feedback, ideas, and visions.

C. Consultation Provides Education:

When decision-makers look at different proposals, they must consider all sides of an issue. Beneficiaries can provide better input if they are provided a fair and objective analysis of issues, opportunities, and constraints presented in a particular proposal. If beneficiaries understand the pros and cons on a particular issue, they will be empowered to provide more meaningful input. By itself, education/information provision does not constitute consultation. However, education/information is important to enable effective consultation.

Click here to download a PDF copy.