STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1719-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.C.R. No. 196

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 196 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION TO CONSULT BENEFICIARIES OF THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT REGARDING ALTERNATIVE WAITLIST AND AWARD PRIORITIZATION BASED ON LINEAL AND GENERATIONAL DESCENDANCY FOR HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS LOCATED IN HANA, MAUI,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Hawaiian Homes Commission to consult beneficiaries of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act regarding alternative waitlist and award prioritization based upon lineal and generational descendancy for Hawaiian Home Lands located in Hana, Maui.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Wakiu Community Development Corporation and seven individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

Your Committee finds that the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands currently gives priority for homestead leases based upon a beneficiary's date of application. However, in some situations it may be more culturally appropriate, and preferable, for awards to be based upon lineal and generational descendance.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 196 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair