DHHL renews Oʻahu revocable permits, approves rights‑of‑entry and launches stewardship assessments

The Hawaiian Homes Commission on June 15 approved renewal of Oʻahu revocable permits (RPs), authorized a right‑of‑entry to MEI Corporation for a Waimānalo staging area tied to DHHL sewer and road work, and granted a 30‑day assessment right‑of‑entry to Lazy L Ranch LLC for stewardship and productive land management on roughly 7,170 acres in Humuʻula, Hawaiʻi.

Frank Hall (land management) presented the Oʻahu RP renewals and a proposed 12% increase in annual RP income on Oʻahu if fee methodology changes are adopted. Staff flagged several non‑compliant permits (including alleged unauthorized subleasing and delinquency) and described targeted workouts and two‑month timelines to resolve tenancy or payment issues before termination. Public commenters raised concerns that sharp fee increases and inconsistent enforcement could drive subleasing and environmental neglect on trust lands.

On the right‑of‑entry request, land development/management staff explained that MEI Corporation has been contracted to perform sewer replacement and road restoration work in Waimānalo and asked for a two‑acre staging site for equipment, materials and worker parking; the commission imposed 12 conditions and waived a monthly permit fee because MEI is contracted by DHHL for department projects.

For Humuʻula, staff described longstanding challenges — cattle rustling, illegal occupancy and limited enforcement capacity due to remoteness — and presented a 30‑day limited ROE to Lazy L Ranch to conduct assessments needed to shape a one‑year stewardship plan. Levi Retita (Lazy L) said past projects removed hundreds of cattle and included community meat distribution; staff described the 30‑day assessment as a preliminary step before proposing a one‑year right‑of‑entry for stewardship and productive management.

Commissioners supported a measured, locally engaged approach: several said they favored workouts over immediate terminations for non‑compliant RP holders where practical and endorsed stewardship pilots in remote pastoral areas as a step toward long‑term disposition and eventual lease awards.

The commission approved the RP renewals, the MEI right‑of‑entry and the Humuʻula assessment ROE; staff were asked to continue beneficiary outreach and to return with status updates on non‑compliant permits and stewardship plans.