Bill Overview
Title: Hawaiian Home Lands Preservation Act
Description: This bill reduces the minimum Native Hawaiian blood quantum required for successor homestead lessees and applicants on the waiting list for the Hawaiian Home Lands program.
Sponsors: Rep. Kahele, Kaiali'i [D-HI-2]
Target Audience
Population: Native Hawaiians
Estimated Size: 560000
- The bill focuses on the Hawaiian Home Lands program, which directly pertains to Native Hawaiians.
- The bill aims to adjust the requirements for successor lessees, which indicates a focus on members of the Native Hawaiian community who may inherit or be assigned leases.
- People on the waiting list for the Hawaiian Home Lands program would also be impacted, as the eligibility criteria are changing.
Reasoning
- The Hawaiian Home Lands Preservation Act primarily impacts Native Hawaiians, who are a relatively small population in the U.S. Thus, many individuals won't see direct impacts, but for those eligible, the effects could be significant.
- The policy adjustments in the blood quantum requirement can address historical injustices and provide housing opportunities to a broader set of Native Hawaiians, hence improving their wellbeing.
- Budget constraints mean the policy needs to carefully prioritize initiatives where the impact will be most efficient — expanding the provision of affordable leases while respecting cultural and familial community ties.
Simulated Interviews
Tour guide (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've been lucky to have a lease, but I worry about my daughter not having the opportunity. Lowering the blood quantum is a good change.
- More Hawaiians getting land means preserving our way of life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Student (Maui, Hawaii)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've been waiting for years, and this change might finally give me a chance to have a home on my ancestral land.
- This policy helps keep our culture alive. It’s something our community needs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Nurse (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 54 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I don't live in Hawaii anymore, I hope this policy will help those back home secure their rights and heritage.
- Expanding eligibility respects our ancestors’ intent. It’s a step toward justice.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Teacher (Kauai, Hawaii)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act could finally give my family a place that’s truly ours and something to pass on to the next generation.
- It’s about honoring our lineage and securing our future.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Barista (Honolulu, Hawaii)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not on the list, but I think it helps a lot of people I know.
- If my chances improve with the new rules, I'd definitely consider applying.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired (Hilo, Hawaii)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’ve seen many promises before, and I’m not sure this will change much.
- If they can deliver, it would be a blessing. We’ve held onto hope for a long time.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Lawyer (Oahu, Hawaii)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a monumental step for our people, opening doors to more of our community.
- I’m proud to have been a part of this policy’s advocacy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Consultant (New York, New York)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it’s important for my family in Hawaii, even though I live far away.
- Anything that helps connect us back to our roots is worth supporting.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Small business owner (Kailua, Hawaii)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about how this will affect the economy and housing market here.
- It’s positive for Native Hawaiians overall, but we should keep a watchful eye on broader impacts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
College student (Lanai, Hawaii)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it’s great to see policies that help support and grow our culture.
- Long-term, I hope this brings positive changes for my family and community.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $30000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $40000000)
Year 2: $31000000 (Low: $21000000, High: $41000000)
Year 3: $32000000 (Low: $22000000, High: $42000000)
Year 5: $34000000 (Low: $24000000, High: $44000000)
Year 10: $37000000 (Low: $27000000, High: $47000000)
Year 100: $60000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $70000000)
Key Considerations
- Long-term cultural and social impacts on Native Hawaiian populations.
- Local government capacity to manage increased demand for infrastructure and services.
- Legal and procedural hurdles in implementing new criteria for successor lessees.