The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) has awarded 68 agricultural lots on Hawaiʻi Island, marking the largest offering of its kind by the department since the late 1980s. The lots, located in Hilo's Honomū and Makuʻu areas, vary in size from one to five acres.
The event saw nearly 200 beneficiaries and their families gather at Keaukaha Elementary School to celebrate. DHHL Director Kali Watson stated, "ʻOhana are built on the ʻāina and it is the department’s commitment to keeping our families in Hawaiʻi and on the land." He emphasized that these offerings are part of DHHL's efforts to address waitlists with diverse homesteading options.
The subsistence agricultural lots allow beneficiaries to live and grow food for personal use or small-scale commercial purposes. Those choosing commercial agriculture must submit a farm plan as part of their lease agreement. Both lot types permit construction of single-family homes or supplemental units.
Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke highlighted the significance of this development: “This momentous occasion marks an exciting milestone for DHHL beneficiaries, providing not only the opportunity to build homes but also to cultivate a future grounded in food sovereignty and self-sustainability.”
An additional 40 subsistence agricultural lots are planned for Honomū within two years, with over 1,600 more lots expected across various locations on Hawaiʻi Island.
Gabriel Kealoha, a beneficiary present at the event, expressed his gratitude: “This is very important because as somebody who was a beneficiary from my parents as well...this is very important for me to give to my baby...and it’s very exciting."