DHHL approves transfer of roughly 334 acres from state for Hilo homelands

The Hawaiian Homes Commission on May 19 authorized the chair to accept the transfer of multiple state parcels totaling about 334.07 acres in Hilo from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, a move presented as part of DHHL’s ongoing effort to expand land available for homesteads.

Khani Fonda, acting administrator of the Land Development Division, told commissioners the parcels (listed by TMK in the agenda) are being transferred under Act 14 (SPSH 1995 settlements) and recommended the commission approve the acceptance and allow the chair to execute necessary documents subject to attorney general review. "It is recommended that the Hawaiian Homes Commission approve and authorize the chair to execute on behalf of the Department of Hawaiian Homelands the acceptance of transfer … and to negotiate and execute any and all related documents," Fonda said.

Commissioners moved and seconded the item, offered brief remarks of thanks for staff work and workshops preparing the transfer, and expressed support for continuing to look for lands that "move the needle" for beneficiaries. Commissioner comments included questions about community outreach; staff said site visits and agency coordination (not broad neighbor meetings) have been the focus to date ahead of more detailed post‑transfer planning.

Chair Kie Watson called for the vote; those in favor said "I," and the motion carried. The commission recorded the vote as carried on the floor; no roll‑call tally was read into the record during the discussion.

The transfer now moves to the procedural step of document review by the state Department of the Attorney General and subsequent conveyance actions by DHHL staff. Fonda and staff said post‑transfer planning will include collaboration among DHHL planning, land management and other divisions to position the parcels for future homestead uses.

The action was framed during the meeting as part of a broader inventory strategy to increase acreage DHHL can activate for pastoral and residential homesteads.