Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Today, members of the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives Native Hawaiian Affairs Caucus presented their 2025 Legislative Package, comprised of four priority bills aimed at representing and advocating for the needs of the native Hawaiian community.
In attendance were Hawaiian Homes Commission Chairman Kali Watson, Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees Chair Kaialiʻi Kahele, Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees Vice Chair Keoni Souza, and community members.
"We come together as a Caucus with the shared goal of uplifting lāhui and uniting on issues where we can find common ground," said Native Hawaiian Caucus Chair and Representative Daniel Holt (D-28, Sand Island, Iwilei, Chinatown). "This year's bill package reflects our commitment to honoring past responsibilities while addressing new challenges to protect our native Hawaiian culture and identity."
The House Native Hawaiian Affairs Caucus is a bipartisan caucus composed of thirteen State Representatives with Hawaiian ancestry, including nine Democrats and four Republicans.
The 2025 Native Hawaiian Affairs Caucus Bill Package consists of the following measures:
HB603 – Relating to Native Hawaiian Business Marketing
Requires the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to administer and oversee a Native Hawaiian Marketing Program to promote businesses owned by Native Hawaiians through marketing and technical assistance.
"This concept draws inspiration from the American Indian Foods (AIF) program, established by the Intertribal Agriculture Council in 1998. AIF was created to help American Indian food businesses showcase their products while protecting producers and consumers from falsely labeled "Indian-made" goods," explained Representative Darius K. Kila (D-44, Honokai Hale, Nānākuli, Mā‘ili). "This initiative closely aligns with the efforts of the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group. Our identity is our brand, and our brand is our identity. It must be protected accordingly."
HB604 – Relating to Tax Revenues
Beginning on 1/1/2026, increases transient accommodations tax rates by 1 percentage point. Deposits the increased revenues into the Hawaiian Home General Loan Fund established under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, as amended.
HB605 – Relating to the Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority (Kakaʻako Makai)
Allows HCDA to approve residential development on certain parcels of land in the Kakaʻako Makai area; raises building height limit on certain parcels in the area; requires a certain percentage of the residential housing units developed on certain parcels to be allocated to households at or below a certain income level, with priority given to certain essential workforce in the area.
HB606 – Relating to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
Requesting an additional $600 million for DHHL. Extends the Act 279 Special Fund to 6/30/2028. Deposits funds into the Act 279 Special Fund and appropriates funds out of the Special Fund for the Department of Hawaiian Homelands to eliminate its waitlist. Requires the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to submit a strategic plan detailing the anticipated uses of the funds appropriated. Requires an annual report.
“Our priority is ensuring that the $600 million allocated to DHHL is not just used to construct housing units, but to eliminate the waitlist for Hawaiian beneficiaries. If these units are not issuing leases to those on the waitlist, we’re failing to fulfill the purpose of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. This funding must translate into leases, homes, and opportunities for our people—not just buildings," said House Minority Floor Leader Diamond Garcia (R-42, Portions of Varona Village, ‘Ewa, and Kapolei, Fernandez Village).
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