April 21, 2025
ANNUAL HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION MEETING
ON MOLOKAI TODAY AND TOMORROW!!!
Monday, April 21, 2025, 9:30 a.m. – Hawaiian Homes Commission – Regular Meeting
in person at Kūlana ‘Ōiwi or on Zoom
Agenda is on this website as well
Monday, April 21, 2025, 6:30 p.m. – DHHL Community Meeting | Kalamaʻula, Molokai
in person at Kūlana ‘Ōiwi (you're welcome to bring a dessert - dinner will be served)
or on Zoom
https://dhhl-hawaii-gov.zoom.us/j/88928703964?pwd=q8Dyzz6c3bOMo6Rrbo7QDbbzpKKG0I.1
Meeting ID: 889 2870 3964
Passcode: 377967
Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 9:30 a.m. – Hawaiian Homes Commission – Regular Meeting
in person at Kūlana ‘Ōiwi or on Zoom
"J" Agenda - Ho'olehua Homesteaders Association is on the agenda to bring up 3 Ho'olehua concerns as discussed at our Membership Meeting
5 minutes each - Kunani Nihipali, Malie Ritte-Camara, Genella Albino
Requests to Address the Commission
J-1 Glenn Teves – Moloka‘i Irrigation System, Subdividing Ag Lots, La‘i ‘Ōpua
J-2 Walter Ritte – Lot Lease Issue, Ho‘olehua
J-3 Liko Wallace – Nā‘iwa and Kalanianaole Hall
J-4 Charles A. Kaahanui – Ho‘olehua Homesteaders Association – Veteran’s Center
Kunani Nihipali, Malie Ritte-Camara, Genella Albino
J-5 Lori Buchanan – Cemetery Update
J-6 Michelei Tancayo – Leiali‘i Concerns
J-8 Marion Kanani Kapuniai - Various Concerns
J-9 Kekoa Enomoto- Pā‘upena Community Development Corporation
J-10 Kenna Stormogipson-Waipoulī Relocation Plan
J-11 Lourdes Torres -Waipoulī Relocation Plan
J-12 Chasetyn Hasegawa – Waipoulī Relocation Plan
J-13 Cindy Freitas – Kawaihae Concerns
J-14 Jojo Tanimoto – Kawaihae Concerns
J-15 Robin Kealiinohomoku – Pulehunui Hawaiian Homestead Association
Beneficiary Consultation Meetings on Proposed Administrative Rule Changes
A lot of great questions and concerns came up at the meeting on Molokai. You still have an opportunity to watch and participate in Virtual sessions. Let your voices be heard! Item #2 is especially important if you or family members are on "Leave of Absence" from your homestead (i.e. living on Oahu while homestead is empty).
Beneficiary Consultation Meetings on Proposed Administrative Rule Changes
More information here: https://dhhl.hawaii.gov/administrative-rules-pilina-based-priority-waitlist/
Virtual Meeting #3 – Monday, May 12, 2025 - 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m
Zoom Meeting – #
Meeting ID: 812 8382 6395
Passcode: 121
One tap mobile
+17193594580,,81283826395# US
+12532050468,,81283826395# US
Virtual Meeting #4 – Monday, May 12, 2025 - 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Zoom Meeting – https://dhhl-hawaii-gov.zoom.us/j/81283826395?pwd=84HHPAbbRAKpPShi0mR6X8VPWCbYVl.1
Meeting ID: 812 8382 6395
Passcode: 121
TWO PROPOSED ADMINISTRATIVE RULE AMENDMENTS:
(1) ESTABLISH A PILINA-BASED PRIORITY WAITLIST
From 2020 to 2024, DHHL has engaged in planning processes to develop new homestead communities in rural areas across the state on several islands in which there are existing Hawaiian Home Lands. DHHL heard a consistent and strong call to develop a pilina-based policy of awarding homestead leases to native Hawaiian beneficiaries who have a connection (pilina) to that wahi (place). These rural communities expressed the need for this policy because maintaining a continuity of settlement by beneficiaries who have a relationship to the area creates a solid foundation for the individual success of the future homestead lessee for several common reasons:
Having familial connections and a strong network of family members and/or close neighbors is critical to the success of the future homestead lessee and his/her family during times of need;
Future homestead lessees that have collected knowledge of the place either through their own keen observation of the wahi and/or by knowledge passed down by their kupuna, better understand how to sustainably manage resources and successfully live in these remote areas.
HAR section 10-3-12 governs the waitlist for homestead leases. DHHL proposes to amend section 10-3-12 to establish a Pilina-Based Priority Waitlist for the reasons above.
(2) ESTABLISH HOMESTEAD LESSEE LEAVE OF ABSENCE GUIDELINES AND POLICIES
Pursuant to section 10-2-16(b)(4) of the DHHL administrative rules, the Chair of the DHHL has the delegated authority to approve leaves of absence. However, the rules lack specific guidelines or policies governing leaves of absence.
The HHC has tasked the DHHL to undertake the process of amending the administrative rules to ensure clarity and enforceability of leaves of absence approved by the DHHL.
Historically, leaves of absence have been approved for lessees required to be off island for reasons such as:
Military deployment
Temporary relocation by an employer or religious organization
Medical treatment
Pursuing higher education
Health and safety concerns
Leaves of absence are typically granted for up to 12 months, with the option for the lessee to request for extensions beyond the initial period which will be the Chair’s discretion whether to approve.
In addition to a lessee being directly impacted, the DHHL is proposing to allow leaves of absence in situations where a lessee’s qualified relatives named in section 209 of the HHCA are also directly impacted by those reasons noted above. Additionally, the DHHL is seeking community input on other factors that should be considered and evaluated for leaves of absence requests.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
2025 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
First Monday of EVEN months
February 3, April 7, June 5 or 9 (TBD),
August 4, October 6, December 1
5:30pm at The Pavilion at Ho 'olehua Congregational Church
Bring mea'ai to share (optional)
WE ARE ONE
HOMESTEADERS 'OHANA!
COME JOIN US!
Click on HHA Membership Form below. Register. You can bring your $5 to any meeting, give it to our Treasurer, or deposit at Molokai Community Federal Credit Union (ask them to note your name - membership). Any questions email hoolehuahomesteaders@gmail.com
Who can join?
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
Section 3.1 Eligibility for Membership. Members of Hoʻolehua Homesteaders Association shall be lessees and/or spouses and/or the adult child(ren) and/or extended ʻohana members living on Hoʻolehua Hawaiian homestead lands; and/or a Hoʻolehua Hawaiian homestead waitlister and their successors or awardee. If there is more than one family unit in a household (i. e. lessee & spouse is one family unit, lessee’s adult child is another family unit), additional family unit(s) living on the homestead may apply for separate membership. Membership application requires completion of an application and the payment of annual dues.
CLICK HERE FOR HHA MEMBERSHIP FORM
HO'OLEHUA HOMESTEADERS ASSOCIATION
Board of Directors
Charles A. Ka'ahanui, III President, Policies Committee (808) 226-4309
Tricia Mersberg, Vice President, Health & Wellness Committee
Rufina Ka'auwai, Secretary, Homesteading Committee
Lu Ann Faborito, Treasurer, Fundraising Committee
Justin Avelino, Director, Education Committee
Wayne Ka'auwai, Director, Water Committee
Crissy Pereira, Director, Veteran & Veteran's Advocate
Kupuna Council - Opuulani Albino, Ochie Bush, Barbara Kalipi, Helen O'Connor, Kammy Purdy
Mission: Vision: E Ola Ka Hawai'i
Hawaiians will/shall thrive!
Hoolehua Homesteaders Association | P. O. Box 60 | Hoolehua, HI 96729-0060 US
Hoolehua Homesteaders Association | P. O. Box 60 | Hoolehua, HI 96729-0060