HONOLULU — The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is seeking beneficiary input as part of its 2022 General Plan update beneficiary-consultation process.
The plan, updated every 20 years, establishes statewide policies that guide land management and DHHL programs over the consequent two decades.
As one piece of the planning framework, the plan provides a comprehensive policy that ensures coordinated, integrated and orderly social, physical and economic development of DHHL properties through the establishment of goals, objectives and implementing actions.
The plan is followed by detailed island and regional plans that are updated on a rotating basis and on their own timetables. The last plan was published in 2002.
DHHL will host six virtual beneficiary-consultation meetings in two parts. Part one will include meetings on March 3, 8 and 9. These meetings will aim to provide an overview of the plan update process and schedule and collect beneficiary feedback on the department’s progress and vision for the next 20 years.
Part two will include meetings in April to discuss land-use designations and collect beneficiary feedback on future land use.
Beneficiaries can find links to access the meetings on the department’s website, dhhl.hawaii.gov/po/general-plan-2022.
“The department invites its beneficiaries to take part in this initial opportunity to provide critical input into future policies and overarching strategies that guide DHHL’s utilization of trust resources in the implementation of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act,” said Iokepa Gomes, deputy to the DHHL chair.
“We have heard resoundingly from beneficiaries that there are voices that desire to be heard, and this is a great opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding of the department’s processes, and also to provide critical and foundational feedback that will guide DHHL over the next couple of decades,” he said.
In September 2020, the Hawaiian Homes Commission selected a General Plan investigative committee, comprised of Commissioners Randy Awo, Russell Kaupu, Zachary Helm and Chair William J. Aila Jr., pursuant to Hawai‘i Revised Statutes Section 92-2.5 and Hawai‘i Administrative Rules Section 10-2-16 (b) (1).
The committee participates in permitted-interaction-group meetings related to the update of the General Plan and engages with DHHL staff on beneficiary-outreach methods and policy considerations that are based on the feedback of beneficiaries.
Upon completion, a draft General Plan update and final General Plan will be presented to the full commission at a regularly-scheduled HHC meeting. DHHL anticipated a final draft to be completed by June 2022.
To learn more about DHHL’s planning system and for more information on the General Plan update and related beneficiary-consultation meetings, visit dhhl.hawaii.gov/po/general-plan-2022.
