HB 1397 Summary

• Requires the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to distribute all remaining Hawaiian home lands to Native Hawaiians within fifteen years instead of the current indefinite timeline.

• Eliminates financial ability as a consideration for awarding leases, allowing individuals who cannot qualify for loans or afford to build dwellings to still receive leases.

• Authorizes the department to develop alternative housing models including pu'uhonua (places of refuge) and communal living arrangements on Hawaiian home lands.

• Changes lease transfers from sales to leases only and requires the department to file all leases with the Bureau of Conveyances by January 1, 2026.

• Appropriates $200,000 for fiscal year 2021-2022 to conduct an actuarial study on the current and projected populations of eligible Native Hawaiians and requires a report to the Legislature by 2023.