Commission urges mediation after family dispute over successorship for lease #8450

A contested successorship to homestead lease number 8450 was brought to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands commission on June 16 as family members and the department described a complex procedural and personal dispute.

Tammy Chung, speaking on behalf of her husband, said DHHL’s January 22, 2026 letter raised questions about whether a required written surrender or transfer statement existed before an October 31, 2025 award and sought clarity about how rule H1037C applied to the situation. "I will also respectfully note that this is my third appearance before the commission regarding this issue," Tammy said, seeking a timeline and explanation.

A family member (Jar Kei) said the originally designated successor died before paperwork was completed, which led DHHL to publish public notice and accept claims. Department staff reported the commission accepted the department’s recommendation at an August 2025 meeting to designate Gerald and George as co‑successors (tenants in common) and that the lease was signed in October 2025. Staff told the commission it had no record of Gerald’s subsequent marriage at the time the successorship was processed and that the H1037 rule is applied primarily to wait‑list awards and used as guidance for successorship reviews.

Gerald Chung and other family members described the living situation: a full household occupying a four‑bedroom home, mortgages kept current and an emotional rift between family parties. The commission encouraged the parties to consider mediation with a mutually agreeable third party (for example a pastor) and said staff would help facilitate options and process any written transfers subject to commission approval. Commissioners warned that, absent agreement, a contested‑case hearing remains an available remedy.

No formal commission action was taken during the meeting; staff said they would follow up and assist with mediation options and paperwork where appropriate.