U.S. Rep. Kahele introduces Hawaiian Home Lands Preservation Act

U.S. Rep. Kaialiʻi Kahele (HI-02) introduced the Hawaiian Home Lands Preservation Act, a bill to reduce the blood quantum requirement for successorship to 1/32nd for current lessees and thousands of applicants and their successors on the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Applicant Wait List.

The act is critical legislation for the preservation, protection, and restoration of the sovereign rights of native Hawaiian people, according to a press release from Rep. Kahele.

“The Hawaiian Home Lands Preservation Act, H.R. 9614, will fulfill the original objective of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, as intended by Delegate Kuhio,” Congressman Kahele said. “Delegate Kuhio fought for a blood quantum of 1/32nd to qualify for a homestead lease but was rebuffed by powerful sugar, business and ranching interests. This bill will right the wrong perpetuated against the native Hawaiian people and address the inequity that exists in current law.”

The Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920 essentially designated lands in trust for Native Hawaiians with 50 percent or higher blood quantum.

The Hawaiian Home Lands Preservation Act would: 

• Amend Section 209 of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920
• Allow existing lessees and an applicant on the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ Application Wait List to designate a qualified relative who has at least 1/32nd blood quantum as a successor beneficiary. 

See Congressman Kaheleʻs floor remarks regarding the Hawaiian Home Lands Preservation Act here: