S.B. 891 Summary

• Establishes mandatory beneficiary consultation requirements for Hawaiian home lands decisions, including comprehensive statewide consultations for general plans and program plans, place-based consultations for island and regional plans, and ad hoc consultations as appropriate.

• Amends Hawaiian Homes Commission membership to require at least five members be descendants of Hawaiian blood or beneficiaries on the waitlist for Hawaiian home lands at time of appointment.

• Requires the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to submit quarterly reports to beneficiaries and legislature identifying all land dispositions, lease cancellations, and trust fund transactions.

• Authorizes the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to retain independent legal counsel, with fees paid by the State, and allows the governor to establish an inter-agency council based on commission recommendation.

• Requires the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to develop and implement a loan servicing manual with mitigation policies to help lessees and borrowers avoid default, delinquency, and foreclosure.