Bill That Would Allow Native Hawaiians to Develop Housing in Kakaʻako Makai Appears to be Dead. Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board Chair Carmen “Hulu” Lindsey Releases Statement

Thunda

4 years ago

Kakaʻako Makai consists of approximately 30 acres of largely waterfront property that was conveyed to OHA by the State of Hawai’i as part of a settlement over longstanding claims for past-due revenue owed from the Public Land Trust. The $200 million land value represents Native Hawaiians’ share of revenues from the state’s use of lands in the Public Land Trust. The property could potentially bring millions into OHA to help fund community-based programs aimed at improving conditions for Native Hawaiians.

“The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) is deeply disappointed that a bill that would allow Native Hawaiians to develop housing in Kakaʻako Makai appears to be dead. We are saddened that Native Hawaiians were robbed of an opportunity to have their voices heard in a single hearing in the House of Representatives.

Nevertheless, we remain steadfast. We understand that the pursuit of justice and self-determination for Native Hawaiians continues to be a challenge. We will now turn our attention to finishing our planning efforts.

We hope that our progress over the next year will demonstrate that a Native Hawaiian vision for Kakaʻako Makai is something that the entire state will support. We look forward to coming back to the Legislature again next year to continue the discussion of allowing Native Hawaiians to build housing on our lands.

OHA thanks our friends in the Senate for providing Native Hawaiians with a fair chance to make our case. In addition, we thank our growing number of supporters within the Native Hawaiian community and the broader public.”

OHA has asked the Legislature to grant Native Hawaiians the same ability to build residential housing on their lands as their neighbors across Ala Moana Blvd. enjoy, OHA is moving forward with developing these prime lands. OHA hopes to turn these parcels into a mixed-use project that showcases their Native Hawaiian identity, contributes to economic and cultural revitalization of urban Honolulu and generates revenues to support programs and services for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. OHA submited a master plan to the Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority reflecting the best case scenario approved by our board of trustees.

For more information on OHA’s future development of its commercial properties in Kakaʻako Makai please visit www.oha.org/kakaakomakai2021.