Conference Committee Approves Measure Releasing $55 Million to OHA

News Release from OHA, May 3, 2026

(HONOLULU)—The Office of Hawaiian Affairs welcomes the recent action by the Conference Committee on SB903. As amended, the measure now advances to a final floor vote in the Hawaii State Legislature.

SB903 does two important things.

First, it releases $55 million in Public Land Trust funds already owed to OHA but held back under the current annual cap. These are resources intended to benefit Native Hawaiian communities at a time when federal funding reductions, threatened cuts, and continuing attacks on longstanding Hawaiian programs have heightened uncertainty for many families and communities.

Second, it strengthens the mandate of the Public Land Trust Working Group and creates space to determine a pathway toward resolving longstanding funding disputes. In doing so, it does not predetermine any outcome but instead allows work to continue toward establishing a fair, consistent formula for how Public Land Trust revenues are calculated and paid to OHA going forward, with greater accountability from the state.

“OHA’s support for SB903 reflects both responsibility and urgency,” said Summer Sylva, Interim Chief Administrator/CEO of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. “At a time of growing federal funding uncertainty and increasing pressure on Native Hawaiian-serving programs, the immediate release of $55 million in Public Land Trust funds is critical. These are resources already owed to Native Hawaiians, and they strengthen OHA’s ability to respond to external pressures that threaten programs our communities depend on. For years, OHA has been careful not to advance processes that predetermine outcomes for our people. That has not changed. What this measure also does is create space for Native Hawaiians to lead a broader conversation about ea, political and economic autonomy, and the State’s continuing obligations to our people.”

For many years, OHA—and the broader Native Hawaiian community—have approached master settlement proposals with scrutiny and circumspection, particularly when proposals overreached or sought to control matters that legally and morally belong to the Native Hawaiian community alone. That caution has been grounded in a core principle: the future of Native Hawaiian self-governance must not be predetermined for Native Hawaiians. That principle remains unchanged.

What has changed is the urgency of the moment.

As federal support becomes less certain, Native Hawaiians are increasingly confronted with important questions: how do we exercise greater political and economic autonomy consistent with our values and our obligations to past, present, and future generations? What pathways to exercising ea exist—not only familiar ones, but those yet to be explored? And how must the State remain accountable for helping correct past and present injustices while serving as a constructive partner moving forward?

OHA believes the necessary conditions, boundaries, and safeguards are now in place to allow these conversations to proceed in good faith. OHA enters this process with eyes wide open and with clear expectations established at the outset, while remaining equally clear that the substance, direction, and ultimate decisions must be determined wholly and fully by Native Hawaiians.

SB903 does not alter those fundamental principles.

• It does not compel a master settlement.

• It does not diminish OHA’s autonomy.

• It does not decide Native Hawaiian self-governance.

“The Board of Trustees remains firmly grounded in a simple principle,” said Chairperson Kaialiʻi Kahele.

“The future of Native Hawaiian self-determination will be determined by Native Hawaiians. The release of these long-overdue resources strengthens OHA’s ability to respond at a critical moment of funding uncertainty and continued challenges to Native Hawaiian-serving programs. Our responsibility is not only to protect that principle, but to help build the stronger political, economic, and institutional foundations that present and future generations will need to exercise it.”

OHA extends its mahalo to the House and Senate conferees, their respective committees, and members of the Native Hawaiian Caucus for their leadership and care in advancing this measure. OHA also extends special appreciation to Speaker Nadine Nakamura, Senate President Ronald Kouchi, Representatives Tarnas, Todd and Kahaloa, and Senators Dela Cruz, Richards, and Keohokalole for championing this issue throughout the 2026 legislative session and for standing alongside Native Hawaiians and OHA in carrying this important kuleana.

SB903: Text, Status