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WHEREAS, pursuant to provisions of the Act, the State of Hawaii Department of
<br />Hawaiian Home Lands was established to provide for the rehabilitation of the native Hawaiian
<br />people through administering a government-sponsored homesteading program granting 99 -year
<br />leases for residential, agricultural or pastoral purposes at an annual rental of $1.00, helping to
<br />ensure the self-sufficiency of Hawaiians; and
<br />WHEREAS, the Act also included benefits to Hawaiians such as financial assistance
<br />programs through direct loans or loan guarantees for home construction, replacement, repair,
<br />development of farms and ranches, technical assistance and the operation of water systems; and
<br />WHEREAS, Congressional passage of the Hawaiian Home Lands Recovery Act in
<br />1995, which provided, in part, for the settlement of claims against the federal government
<br />through exchange and transfer of lands after the United States' continued retention of properties
<br />initially designated as available Hawaiian homes lands, is a demonstration of the continued
<br />vigilance required to ensure the intentions of the Act are held true for future generations; and
<br />WHEREAS, Hawaiian home lands of East Hawaii Island are located in Discovery
<br />Harbour, Kama`oa, Kaumana, Keaukaha, Kurtistown, Maku`u, Pana`ewa, Pi`ihonua, Pu`u`eo,
<br />University Heights, and Waiakea; and
<br />WHEREAS, Hawaiian home lands of West Hawaii Island are located in Honokaia,
<br />Humu`ula, Kamoku, Kaniohale, Kawaihae, La`i `Opua, Lalamilo, Nienie, Pu`ukapu/Waimea,
<br />and Pu`upulehu; and
<br />WHEREAS, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands 2020 Annual Report indicated
<br />that there have been a total of 2,529 leases awarded to native Hawaiians in Hawaii County as of
<br />June 30, 2020, including 1,716 on residential lots and 506 on agriculture parcels, emphasizing
<br />the specific impacts of the Act to addressing housing and land use on our island; and
<br />WHEREAS, the State Senate adopted Senate Resolution 150 on March 31, 2021, and the
<br />Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Hawaiian Homes Commission adopted Resolution 303 at
<br />its March 16, 2020 meeting, both recognizing the upcoming anniversary of the signing of the
<br />Act; now, therefore,
<br />BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that it
<br />recognizes the Centennial Celebration of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, as
<br />amended, to commence on July 9, 2021 and extend through July 8, 2022.
<br />BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council shares with the Department of
<br />Hawaiian Homes Lands, as the organizer for the Commission's Centennial, the desire and
<br />dedication to engage and work with Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries and community
<br />members and to seek to participate in potential statewide events that both mark the Centennial
<br />and honor the contributions of Prince Kuhi6 in establishing the Act, including the Department's
<br />suggested partnering with established activities, such as Aloha Week Festivals, Annual
<br />Convention of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Merrie Monarch Festival and King Kamehameha
<br />Celebration Parade.
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