Notice of Public Hearings for DHHL Proposed Amendment to Add New Subchapter 3.1 Relating to Supplemental Dwelling Units

Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) chapter 91, notice is hereby given that the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) will hold a statewide online public hearing to afford all interested persons an opportunity to submit data, views, or arguments, orally or in writing on the proposed amendment and compilation of Chapter 10-3, under Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) Title 10, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, entitled “Native Hawaiian Rehabilitation Program.”  The proposed amendment would add a new subchapter 3.1 relating to supplemental dwelling units (SDU).  Proposed subchapter 3.1 creates a five-year pilot program for residential lessees on Hawaiian homelands to construct a supplemental dwelling unit, also called “ohana unit” or “accessory dwelling unit” by the various counties.  An SDU application process, general lot requirements, and lessee obligations are outlined in the proposal.  Terms for use of the SDU are also detailed.  An informational briefing will be held immediately before the public hearing.  Due to COVID-19 public health dangers associated with in-person gatherings, the public hearing and informational session will be held entirely online via video conferencing technology.

All interested persons may view a pre-recorded presentation describing the proposed rules and access background information about the proposal, including relevant Hawaiian Homes Commission submittals on the DHHL website at https://dhhl.hawaii.gov/hhc/hawaii-administrative-rules/dhhl-administrative-rules-supplemental-dwelling-units/.

There are two ways to participate in the public hearing: online via the internet or by telephone, or by written testimony.  All interested persons are urged to participate to present relevant information and individual opinion for the DHHL to consider.  The hearing will be held on the following date and time:

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Informational briefing: 5:30 – 6:00 p.m.

Public hearing: 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Online: Persons may present live video/oral testimony via the internet or telephone during the online public hearing.  To participate, you will need either a computer with internet access, a video camera, and microphone, or a telephone.  To sign up please email your request to: DHHL.AdminRules@hawaii.gov at least 48 hours in advance.  Please include your email address, full name, and phone number.  A confirmation will be sent to you with instructions and the meeting link and the call-in number.  You can live stream the public hearing on the DHHL website: dhhl.hawaii.gov/live.  The hearing will be recorded and will be available for viewing on the DHHL website within 24 hours after the hearing.

Written testimony:  Any person may file written testimony to the proposed rulemaking by email or mail postmarked by July 9, 2021, to ATTN: Administrative Rules, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, P.O. Box 1879, Honolulu, HI 96805 or DHHL.AdminRules@hawaii.gov.

All oral and written testimony is public information.  Please do not include information in your testimony that you do not want to be disclosed to the public.

The Hawaiian Homes Commission shall take final action on this rulemaking at a future regularly scheduled commission meeting.

The proposed rule amendments are currently available for review through July 9, 2021, online at https://dhhl.hawaii.gov/hhc/hawaii-administrative-rules/ and between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at the DHHL Main Office on Oahu: 91-5420 Kapolei Pkwy, Kapolei, HI 96707; and at any DHHL District Office: East Hawaii: 160 Baker Ave., Hilo, HI 96720; West Hawaii: 64-756 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kamuela, HI 96743; Maui: 655 Kaumualii St., Wailuku, HI 96793; Molokai: 600 Mauna Loa Hwy, Kaunakakai, HI 96748; Kauai: 3060 Eiwa St, Rm 203, Lihue, HI 96766.  A copy of the proposed rule amendments will be mailed to any person who requests a copy in writing.  The request must state the requestor’s name and mailing address, and be delivered to the DHHL Main Office, P.O. Box 1879, Honolulu, HI 96805.  For more information, email DHHL.AdminRules@hawaii.gov or call (808) 620-9280.

To request a sign language interpreter, please contact the DHHL Information and Community Relations Office on Oahu at 808-620-9590 at least seven days in advance of the public hearing.