LAND BOARD AUTHORIZES TRANSFER OF MORE THAN 300 ACRES TO DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS

News Release from BLNR, Aug 14, 2026

HONOLULU – The State Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) today authorized the transfer of more than 300 acres of state-owned lands in the Waiākea area of Hilo on Hawaiʻi Island, from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL).

“The BLNR did Hawaiʻi proud today by approving this significant land transfer,” said Governor Josh Green. “Getting Native Hawaiian beneficiaries onto the land has been a top priority of my administration. We awarded more than 2,500 leases in 2025 and are on track to award approximately 3,000 this year, the most in state history. This transfer builds on that progress and brings us closer to helping even more beneficiaries turn their awards into homes, working farms and thriving communities.”

“Today’s action by the BLNR represents a significant milestone toward full satisfaction of the transfers required under Act 14, First Special Session Acts, passed by the State Legislature in 1995,” said BLNR Chairperson Ryan Kanakaʻole. “The parcels approved for transfer will provide meaningful opportunities for both homesteading and revenue generation, further supporting DHHL’s mission to provide for the economic self-sufficiency of native Hawaiians.”

Act 14 was adopted to compensate DHHL for the state’s use of DHHL trust lands between August 21, 1959, and July 1, 1988. Since its enactment, DLNR and DHHL have collaborated to fully implement the intent of Act 14.

The eight parcels identified under today’s transfer consist of two commercial-zoned parcels appropriate for revenue-generating industrial/commercial development, as well as six parcels in the Hilo town core suited to connected residential and agricultural homestead development.

Next steps are for DHHL to conduct due diligence evaluations of the parcels to determine the extent to which they satisfy or otherwise meet the needs of the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust. Evaluation efforts will include title, environmental, cultural and infrastructure assessments.

DLNR and DHHL will continue to work toward consensus on the conveyance of these lands and any subsequent Act 14 requirements.

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RESOURCES
(All images courtesy: DLNR)

Photographs – Satellite images of parcels transferred

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