In a letter addressed to Chairperson William J. Aila, Jr. and Hawaiian Homes Commission members, Senate Minority Leader Kurt Fevella (District 19 – ‘Ewa Beach, Ocean Pointe, ‘Ewa by Gentry, Iroquois Point, portion of ‘Ewa Villages) stated his concern over the Commission’s pending action to grant a 40-year lease extension to Prince Kuhio Plaza, LLC on Hawai‘i Island. He called for the Commission to defer any action until a resolution between the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) and the State Department of Attorney General on the legal authority for the Commission to take this action is determined.  

In 2021, Act 236 was passed, which authorizes the extension of certain commercial, industrial, resort, mixed-use or government leases. Senator Fevella restated his opposition to this act and added, “it is timely that the DOI question the authority of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) to extend this lease. Any decision regarding an extension of DHHL land leases should go through a fair and competitive public bidding process to maximum revenue potential rather than through private negotiations occurring behind closed doors in executive session.” 

Senator Fevella called DHHL’s choice to extend its commercial leases without the opportunity for the public to bid for these lands as a “dereliction of its duties to its beneficiaries.” He pointed out that, through a competitive bidding process, DHHL could maximize revenue potential and better leverage its commercial land holdings.  

He concluded, “I agree with the DOI’s position that any action by the DHHL to grant extensions of commercial leases of Hawaiian home lands pursuant to Act 236 violates Federal law and constitutes a breach of trust by the State. I also believe this Commission has an opportunity to prevent squandering opportunities for Native Hawaiians to prosper by allowing the general public an opportunity to competitively lease these important lands.”