HI HB2531

Authorizes the chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, with unanimous consent from the commission, to suspend administrative rules and award homestead leases to native Hawaiians who have been on the Hawaiian Home Lands waitlist for at least 20 years.

Targets approximately 6,740 native Hawaiians who have waited 20+ years out of 21,151 total residential applicants on the waitlist, representing nearly one-third of those awaiting lease awards.

Supported by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Sovereign Councils of the Hawaiian Homelands Assembly, and several Hawaiian homestead community associations.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs provided comments on the measure.

Committee on Hawaiian Affairs recommended passage and referral to the Committee on Finance.