The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) achieved a significant milestone September 22 by awarding its first agricultural project leases for two subdivisions on the island of Maui. In total, 105 leases were granted: 55 leases for the Waiehu Mauka subdivision and 50 leases for the Honokōwai subdivision.
The event marked the department’s first agricultural lease awards since the early 2000s. Waiehu Mauka covers about 240 acres and consists of half-acre lots. Honokōwai spans approximately 45 acres and will include 1- to 2-acre lots.
“Our beneficiaries want to be on the land and agricultural project leases expedite that opportunity for them,” DHHL Director Kali Watson said. “This model not only provides our beneficiaries with the land base to construct homes but also offers them a chance to cultivate a dependable food source. This represents cultural revitalization.”
Both project areas are funded by Act 279; the legislature’s historic allocation of $600 million to the DHHL in 2022 which allows the department to acquire lands closer to existing infrastructure and initiates the installation of essential utilities like water, sewer, power, drainage and roadway infrastructure prior to the construction of homes.
“We need to focus on the mission of making sure the paper leases awarded become actual land leases,” said Sen. Troy Hashimoto. “We need to get the land ready to move in; the $600 million is not enough.”
Work in Waiehu Mauka will begin in 2027 and should be completed by 2033. Construction at Honokōwai is scheduled to begin in 2029 with anticipated completion in 2031.
The awarding of agricultural project leases before the completion of subdivisions provides beneficiaries with an undivided interest in a specific parcel of their interest. Furthermore, those holding agricultural project leases have the added benefit of transferring their leases to a qualified successor who meets the 25% blood quantum requirement.
Project leases are the department’s new approach to moving beneficiaries off the waitlist. This initiative aims to create various avenues to homeownership while safeguarding the legacy of an ʻohana’s lease.
DHHL is set to award more than 230 project leases on Maui next year in the following areas: Pūlehunui (100), Honokōwai (40), and Hāna (96).
The department will deploy a new approach when awarding Hāna leases: a pilina-based priority waitlist to identify applicants who are a former or current area residents, lineal descendants, or an applicant with a relative who is a current resident of the area. DHHL’s strategy to developing homestead communities in rural areas will prioritize a pilina-based priority waitlist. This process will uphold the cultural values and customary Hawaiian traditions that are critical to the community’s wellbeing.
 achieved a significant milestone September 22 by awarding its first agricultural project leases for two subdivisions on the island of Maui.){kind=link}