HI SR81

Congress enacted the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act in 1921, setting aside 203,000 acres of former crown and government lands for a native Hawaiian homestead program.

Congress enacted the Hawaiian Home Lands Recovery Act in 1995 to authorize transfer of federal lands to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to settle claims for approximately 1,500 acres taken and used by the United States.

Since a 1998 memorandum of agreement, 890 acres have been transferred and 80 acres are in process, but many suitable federal parcels were transferred inconsistently with the Act's requirements.

The resolution urges the United States to satisfy its obligations under the Hawaiian Home Lands Recovery Act and requests Hawaii's congressional delegation seek amendments or new legislation to authorize compensation for the Trust's lost use of federal-held lands.

Certified copies of the resolution shall be sent to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Hawaii's congressional delegation, the Governor, Hawaiian Homes Commission Chairperson, and county officials.