>> THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS IS TASKED WITH GETTING NATIVE HAWAIIANS ONTO HOMESTEAD LOTS.

BUT THE EFFORT IS SLOW, WITH NEARLY 30-THOUSAND BENEFICIARIES ON THE WAITING LIST, SOME WHO HAVE BEEN REGISTERED FOR DECADES.

BUT A HUGE CASH INFLUX FROM THE STATE COULD HELP TO FAST TRACK THE DEVELOPMENT OF THOUSANDS OF HOMES ACROSS THE STATE.

TONIGHT'S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVESTREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I START NOW.

>> DARYL: ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I.

I'M DARYL HUFF.

IN 1921, PRESIDENT WARREN HARDING SIGNED THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT.

IT CARRIED OUT THE VISION OF PRINCE JONAH KUHIO KALANIANA'OLE, BY SETTING ASIDE 200-THOUSAND ACRES ACROSS THE STATE, FOR THE PURPOSE OF RETURNING NATIVE HAWAIIANS TO THE LAND.

PARCELS ARE GRANTED BY THE STATE-RUN DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

TO QUALIFY FOR A 99-YEAR LEASE, YOU MUST HAVE A BLOOD QUANTUM OF AT LEAST 50-PERCENT HAWAIIAN.

BUT THE PROCESS HAS BEEN INEFFICIENT WITH BENEFICIARIES WAITING DECADES, SOME EVEN DYING, ON THE WAITLIST.

TONIGHT OUR PANEL WILL DISCUSS PLANS AT THE LEGISLATURE TO PROVIDE 600-MILLION DOLLARS TO DHHL.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.

YOU CAN EMAIL OR CALL IN YOUR QUESTIONS.

AND YOU'LL FIND A LIVE STREAM OF THIS PROGRAM AT PBSHAWAII.ORG AND THE PBS HAWAII FACEBOOK PAGE.

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

TYLER GOMES IS THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS DEPUTY DIRECTOR.

HE'S A GRADUATE OF UH MANOA WITH A DEGREE IN HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE AND HAS A JURIS DOCTOR DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE IN NATIVE HAWAIIAN LAW FROM THE WILLIAM S. RICHARSON SCHOOL OF LAW.

DEMOCRATIC SENATOR MAILE SHIMABUKURO IS THE CHAIR OF THE HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.

SHE REPRESENTS DISTRICT 21 FROM KALAELOA TO KA'ENA POINT ON OAHU'S LEEWARD COAST.

IN ADDITION TO BEING A LEGISLATOR, SHE'S ALSO AN ATTORNEY PROVING NONPROFIT LEGAL SERVICES.

BLOSSOM FEITEIRA WAS BORN AND RAISED IN LAHAINA, MAUI AND IS A BENEFICIARY HERSELF.

SHE'S THE FOUNDER OF HAWAIIAN COMMUNITY ASSETS WHICH IS A HOUSING COUNSELING ORGANIZATION.

SHE'S ALSO THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF HAWAIIANS FOR HOMESTEAD LANDS.

AND TOM YAMACHICKA IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE TAX FOUNDATION OF HAWAII.

THE NONPROFIT WORKS TO EDUCATE THE TAXPAYING PUBLIC ABOUT THE FINANCES OF THE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

HE'S A TAX ATTORNEY WITH HIS OWN PRIVATE PRACTICE.

LET ME START WITH BLOSSOM.

WHAT'S IT BEEN LIKE?

HAS SO MUCH PROMISE BUT MANY DECADES, IT MUST HAVE BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING.

>> IT HAS BEEN.

MAHALO FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

>> DARYL: ALOHA.

>> TO SHARE MY THOUGHTS.

I SPENT 19 YEARS ON THE WAITLIST.

AND FINALLY RECEIVED AN AWARD UP COUNTRY MAUI.

AND I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, HAVING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORKS OF THE DEPARTMENT AND THE STATE AND HOW THEY VIEW THEIR OBLIGATION IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE LAW REALLY SET A TONE FOR ME AND FOR IN OTHERS IN OUR COMMUNITY TO FIGURE OUT A WAY HOW CAN WE HELP THE DEPARTMENT HELP US GET ON THE LAND, RIGHT.

AND SO OVER THE YEARS, WORKING WITH BENEFICIARIES HELPING THEM TO GET READY, UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE PROCESS IS HAS MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE HAVING THE BENEFICIARIES READY TO ACCEPT AN I A WARD.

CHALLENGE IS THE DEPARTMENT HAS NEVER BEEN FULLY FUNDED.

HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO EFFICIENTLY MOVE DEVELOPMENT ON THE TRUST LANDS IN ORDER TO MEET OUR NEEDS.

SO THIS $600 MILLION ALLOCATION IS WE SEE IS AS AN ABSOLUTELY WINDFALL THAT CAN HELP 21 PROJECTS MOVE ACROSS THE STATE THAT WILL EVENTUALLY END UP IN THE HANDS OF BENEFICIARIES ON THE WAITLIST.

>> DARYL: SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

>> I AM.

[LAUGHTER] >> DARYL: TYLER GOMES, YOU CAN'T WIPE THAT GRIN OFF YOUR FACE.

I THINK ONE OF THE BIG QUESTIONS IS, $600 MILLION.

WHAT IMPACT COULD THAT HAVE, AND HOW WOULD IT WORK?

IT SEEMS LIKE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR ANY DEPARTMENT, LET ALONE ONE THAT FRANKLY HAD A HISTORY OF SOME TROUBLE.

I HEAR WHAT BLOSSOM IS SAYING.

A LOT OF IT IS EVEN WHEN YOU OFFER OR LEASE TO SOMEBODY, THEY CAN'T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.

WHAT DO YOU -- TELL ME HOW YOU FELT WHEN YOU SAW THAT $600 MILLION FIGURE?

>> FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE.

$600 MILLION IS MONUMENTAL.

NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE.

A SETTLEMENT IN THE '90s, AS A RESULT, $600 MILLION, THE DEPARTMENT BUILT 40% OF ALL THE HOMESTEADS IN THE LAST 25 YEARS.

ANOTHER $600 MILLION COULD REALLY SPEED UP THE WAY IN WHICH THE DEPARTMENT IS ABLE TO MAKE AWARDS, BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT IT'S PROBABLY NOT A SILVER BULLET, AND IT IS A STEP FORWARD IN A MULTIFACETED INCREMENTAL APPROACH WE'LL HAVE TO TAKE TO SOLVING THE WAITLIST.

>> DARYL: TOM YAMACHIKA, YOU'RE IN THE UNFORTUNATE POSITION IN BEING ONE WHO HAS DOUBTS.

WHAT ARE YOUR CONCERNS ABOUT THIS PROPOSAL?

>> FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE AT THE TAX FOUNDATION, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT TAXPAYER'S MONEY IS WELL SPENT AND DEPLOYED TO THE -- WHERE IT'S SUPPOSED TO GO AND DOES WHAT THE LAWMAKERS WANT IT TO DO.

THE PROBLEM IS WE HAD TAKEN A LOOK AT SOME OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS' PAST RECORD OF DEALING WITH WHAT WE CALL HASDA GRANTS TO DHHL TO DO HOUSING.

IN THE EARLY 2000S, WE WERE GETTING AWARDS 12 MILLION, 12 MILLION, 12 MILLION, 8 MILLION EVERY YEAR, AND THE DEPARTMENT TOOK FIVE YEARS TO SPEND IT.

IN 20 -- >> DARYL: TOM, I WANT TO MOVE ALONG A LITTLE MORE QUICKLY.

I'M GOING TO GO TO MAILE.

AMONG YOUR COLLEAGUES -- SENATOR SHIMABUKURO.

SORRY.

>> YOU CAN CALL ME MAILE.

>> DARYL: AMONG YOUR COLLEAGUES, SEEMS TO BE A RELUCTANCE TO INVEST IN THIS WAY IN DHHL.

WHERE DID THAT RELUCTANCE COME FROM OVER THE YEARS?

>> I THINK IT REALLY WAS -- WE HAD A LACK OF FUNDING.

THIS IS ONE OF THE FIRST YEARS WHERE AMAZINGLY, WE HAVE A SURPLUS, AND MY UNDERSTANDING IT'S ABOUT A BILLION DOLLAR SURPLUS.

NORMALLY WE'RE TOLD IT'S BREAK, AND THE REVENUES ARE LESS THAN THOUGHT, AND WE'RE HAVING TO FIGURE HOW TO CUT EVERYONE.

WHEN IT CAME TO DHHL AND MANY OTHER DEPARTMENTS, HOW CAN WE TRIM THEIR BUDGET?

HOW CAN WE MAKE THEM MORE SELF-SUFFICIENT?

YEAH, I THINK THAT'S BEEN A LOT OF THE PROBLEM.

TO HAVE THIS SURPLUS IS A LUXURY FOR THE LEGISLATURE.

I'M TOLD THAT DHHL HAS BEEN PRIORITIZED.

>> DARYL: BLOSSOM, I'M CURIOUS AS A BENEFICIARY YOURSELF, AS A BENEFICIARY YOURSELF, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AN AWARD IS MADE?

I MEAN, DO PEOPLE GET BLANK PIECE OF LAND?

DO THEY GET A HOUSE?

TELL US YOUR STORY, AND WHAT IT WAS LIKE WHEN YOU GOT YOUR HOMESTEAD?

WHAT DID YOU HAVE TO DO?

WHAT CHALLENGES WERE THERE?

>> FIRST OF ALL, YOU KNOW, THE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES HOMESTEADING OPPORTUNITIES IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.

THEY CAN LOT AWARDS WHERE THE FAMILY HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DETERMINE WHAT THEIR SPENDING IS GOING TO BE TO CONSTRUCT THE HOME.

TURN KEY HOMES WITH SET PRICE.

AND VARIOUS OPPORTUNITIES, KULEANA HOMESTEADING WHERE THEY GET A PIECE OF RAW LAND.

THE CHALLENGE FOR THE BENEFICIARY IS HAVING A -- NOT HAVING A PLAN IN PLACE THAT THEY CAN FUND THEMSELVES, FIRST OF ALL.

WHETHER IT'S QUALIFYING FOR A MORTGAGE, AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU MY WORK WITH HAWAIIAN COMMUNITY ASSETS REALLY, FOR US, CLEARED UP A LOT OF MISINFORMATION WHEN WE'RE TOLD THAT HAWAIIANS CAN'T GET A HOUSE BECAUSE THEY CAN'T QUALIFY FOR LOAN BECAUSE THEY HAVE POOR CREDIT.

WAS ACTUALLY, IT WAS AN INSULT TO THESE FAMILIES.

THEY WERE ACTUALLY VERY WELL SUITED.

THEY HAD GOOD CREDIT SCORES, GOOD WORK HISTORY.

ISSUE AND CHALLENGE IS THEIR INCOME WAS INSUFFICIENT TO MEET THE NEEDS OF A MORTGAGE OF THE HOUSE THAT THEY CHOSE.

PART OF THE $600 MILLION THAT I SAW ON THE BILL IS TO HELP WITH THAT.

ADDRESS THAT LACK BETWEEN COST OF THE HOUSE AND WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD TO BUY, WHICH IS APPRECIATIVE FOR BENEFICIARIES THAT ARE IN THAT SITUATION.

BUT YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY AND YOU HAVE A CHOICE.

NOT ONLY IS THAT A CHOICE OF WHAT KIND OF LOT YOU RECEIVE BUT WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO LIVE.

RIGHT NOW, THE DEPARTMENT HAS MULTIPLE PROJECTS ON ALL THE ISLANDS, AND SO THOSE ON THE WAITLIST ACTUALLY HAVE NOT JUST AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET A LOT, BUT THEY CAN CHOOSE TO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY GREW UP IN.

>> DARYL: BLOSSOM, LET ME MOVE ON TO TYLER.

THAT BRINGS UP A POINT RAISED BY ONE OF OUR QUESTIONERS, GLEN FROM MOLOKAI.

ABOUT 20% OF DHHL ON HAWAI'I ARE THE WAIMANALO CLIFFS.

DOES THE STATE EXPECT HOMESTEADS TO LIVE ON CLIFFS OR SWAPPING LIVEABLE LANDS WITH CONSERVATION BEFORE THEY GIVE 90,000 ACRES TO DEPARTMENT OF AG?

THERE'S A LOT OF COMPLEX LAND TRANSACTIONS THERE.

ONE OF THE BIG PROBLEMS FOR THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN YOU DIDN'T HAVE LAND WHERE YOU HAD THE BENEFICIARIES.

IS THIS SOMETHING THAT CAN CHANGE?

IS THERE ALSO TALK ABOUT GETTING YOU LAND THAT YOU CAN USE TO DEVELOP?

>> YEAH.

SPEAK TO THE IDEA THAT THERE ARE CLIFFS IN WAIMANALO GIVEN TO THE DEPARTMENT IS UNCONSCIONABLE.

NOT EXPECTED TO PUT ANY HOMESTEADERS IN UNINHABITABLE AREA.

LAND THAT ARE SUITABLE FOR HOMESTEADING.

NEXT CHALLENGE IS ABLE TO AFFORD PURCHASING THAT LAND OR REACHING AN AGREEMENT WHICH LAND CAN BE SWAPPED.

$600 MILLION, DEPENDING ON HOW THE BILL IS AUTHORED COULD PROVIDE FUNDS TO MORE SUITABLE LAND, PARTICULARLY ON OAHU, WHICH WAS THE LONGEST RESIDENTIAL WAITLIST BUT SMALLEST AMOUNT OF DEVELOPABLE RESIDENTIAL LAND.

OR GIVEN THE SUPPORT WE'VE SEEN FROM THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR, I THINK THERE'S A FEELING OF HELPING THE DEPARTMENT FIGURE OUT IF LAND SHORTAGE ISSUES, WHICH COULD BRING OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO RE-PRIORITIZE LAND.

>> DARYL: TOM, WHEN YOU HEAR TALK LIKE THIS, YOU'VE COMMENTED ON THE HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT MAYBE NOT SPENDING DOWN ITS MONEY AS QUICKLY AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

DO YOU SEE VALUE IN HAVING A DEPARTMENT WITH A CLEAR MISSION BEING GIVEN THIS LEVEL OF RESOURCE AS OPPOSED TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS WHERE THEIR MISSION MIGHT NOT BE SO CLEAR?

>> WELL, ONE OF THE CHALLENGES, LIKE TYLER SAID, IS THAT A LOT OF THE HOME LANDS DESIGNATED ARE UNINHABITABLE.

SPECIAL DISTRICT OR CONSERVATION LAND.

YOU CAN'T DEVELOP THAT STUFF.

SO THAT'S ONE OF THE CHOKE POINTS, I THINK, IN GETTING PEOPLE OFF THE WAITLIST.

YOU GOT TO PUT THEM SOMEWHERE.

>> DARYL: SO, SENATOR SHIMABUKURO, WHAT IS THE HOPE OF THE LEGISLATURE?

DO YOU HAVE A NUMBER LIKE WE EXPECT TO HAVE THIS MANY HOMES BY THIS DATE?

ARE THERE STANDARDS FOR DHHL TO MEET ALONG WITH MONEY THAT'S GOING TO THE DEBT?

>> YES.

THE CURRENT BILL IS THE SENATE VERSION, IT'S QUITE SPECIFIC.

MAYBE TYLER CAN DOUBLE CHECK MY MATH.

ROUGHLY FOUR THOUSAND PLACEMENTS OF HOMES.

I THINK THERE'S ABOUT 3,000 OR SO HOMES WOULD BE REQUIRED TO BUILT ALL OVER THE STATE.

AND 112 MILLION THAT WAS THE DOWN PAYMENT IN MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE.

I THINK ABOUT FOUR THOUSAND.

$100 MILLION TO BUILD HOMES IN KAPOLEI.

$25 MILLION TO BUILD HOMES IN WAIMANALO.

55 MILLION IN WAIANAE.

AND 112 MILLION FOR DOWN PAYMENT IN MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE.

VERY EXCITING.

THAT LAST PIECE IS WHAT'S REALLY WONDERFUL OUT OF THE BOX, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BECAUSE THE LAND HOLDINGS ARE LIMITED, I THINK THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT $100 MILLION TO SOMEONE ON THE WAITLIST TO PURCHASE A FEE SIMPLE PROPERTY OUT OF THE TRUST LANDS.

YOU COULD BUY A HOUSE IN KAILUA IF YOU WANTED TO.

AND DHHL, 45% OF THE RESPONDENTS SAID THEY WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF TAKING THIS PAYMENT INSTEAD OF WAITING TO GET PLACED ON TO A HOMESTEAD LOT.

THAT WILL EXPAND THE FOOTPRINT AND ADD EQUITY VALUE TO THE TRUST AND BUILD WEALTH FOR THE BENEFICIARIES.

>> DARYL: TYLER GOMES, FROM DHHL, HOW WOULD THAT PROCESS WORK?

IT'S KIND OF A PRETTY NEW IDEA, AND LEGISLATORS OFTEN STRUGGLE WITH NEW IDEAS.

HOW DO YOU SEE THAT WORKING?

DO YOU SEE ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND -- BE BOUGHT OFF THE WAITLIST AS THE RIGHT NUMBER OR COULD THAT NUMBER CHANGE?

IF YOU'VE GOT THREE MEMBERS OF THE SAME FAMILY, CAN THEY POOL THAT MONEY?

>> ALL YOUR QUESTIONS ARE A LITTLE TECHNICAL.

WE'RE GETTING LEGAL OPINIONS TO MAKE SURE IT'S AIRTIGHT.

ONCE AND IF THE MONEY IS APPROVED.

WE THINK ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS COULD BE A USEFUL STEP UP FOR FAMILIES.

ONE-THIRD OF THE HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS WAITLIST IS AT OR ABOUT THE MEDIAN INCOME.

HAVE GREAT WORK SHIFT AND GREAT CREDIT SCORES.

THIS COULD BE A LEG UP FOR THEM.

50% OF THE WAITLIST ALREADY OWNS A HOME IN THE STATE OF HAWAI'I.

REASON THEY'RE ON THE WAITLIST IS USUALLY BECAUSE THEIR CHILD OR GRANDCHILD COULD QUALIFY.

NOT TO PROLONG THIS, BUT IF WE CONSIDER THE FACT THAT THE MEDIAN HOME PROVIDES IS APPROACHING 1.5 MILLION.

NONRESIDENT LUXURY AND FOREIGN INTERESTS ARE MOSTLY PURCHASING AVAILABLE HOUSING INVENTORY.

ANY STEP WE CAN TAKE TO PROVIDE AN -- THAT IS FREEING UP A SLOT FOR SOMEONE FURTHER DOWN THE WAITLIST WHO MAY NOT BE AT THAT LEVEL OF FINANCIAL READINESS.

WHAT I WANT TO SAY IS I WOULDN'T CALL IT A BUYOUT.

THAT'S A MISCHARACTERIZATION.

I THINK IT'S A BUY-IN TO THE IDEA THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAS A RESPONSIBILITY.

INCLUDES THOSE WHO MAYBE NEED A LITTLE LESS OF A LEG UP.

>> DARYL: BLOSSOM, HOW ARE BENEFICIARIES RESPONDING TO THAT PROPOSAL FOR THE HOUSING ASSISTANCE?

45% -- >> THE IDEA OF RECEIVING ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS TO BE USED FOR A DOWN PAYMENT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

AND MANY BENEFICIARIES THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA.

THEY WOULD TAKE THE $100,000 AND BUY OUTSIDE BECAUSE THEY LOOK AT IT AS ANOTHER WAY THAT THE VISION OF KUHIO IS HELPING THEM.

CHALLENGE BECOMES WHEN WE RECOMMEND THAT THEY GO AND SEE IF THEY CAN QUALIFY FOR THE BALANCE OF THE LOAN.

THEY'RE SAYING THEY CAN'T BECAUSE THE PURCHASE PRICE IS TOO HIGH.

SO THAT ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS CAN'T ABLE TO HELP THEM GET TO WHERE THEY NEED TO GO.

AND SO WHEN I LOOK AT THE BILL, I'M LOOKING IN TERMS OF CAN WE USE A PORTION OF THAT $100 MILLION TO DO MORTGAGE SUBSIDIES SO WE CAN SUBSIDIZE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT IT COST AND WHAT THEY CAN AFFORD AND BRING THAT AMOUNT DOWN SO THEY'LL BE ABLE TO PAY FOR THAT HOUSE THAT THEY WANT TO BUY.

I THINK THAT WOULD BE A MORE EFFECTIVE WAY OF BEING ABLE TO HELP THE FAMILIES GET INTO THAT HOUSING.

IT'S ALREADY PROVEN PROGRAM.

THERE ARE MORTGAGE LENDING OPPORTUNITIES THAT ALLOW FOR THAT.

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT HOW THE MECHANICS OF THAT WOULD WORK AND HOW MANY PEOPLE THAT CAN HELP.

>> DARYL: TOM, ON THAT SUBJECT, DO YOU SEE VALUE -- WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT PART OF THE PROPOSAL IN PARTICULAR?

DO YOU SEE THAT THAT COULD HELP THE GENERAL REAL ESTATE MARKET AS WELL?

>> I ACTUALLY, JUST HEARING IT FOR THE FIRST TIME NOW, I HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT IT BECAUSE IF YOU START GIVING MONEY TO PEOPLE TO DO DOWN PAYMENTS AND BUY MORE HOME THAN THEY COULD AFFORD, WE WOULD HAVE THE EFFECT OF PRESSING THE GENERAL REAL ESTATE MARKET UPWARDS IN TERMS OF PRICE.

THINGS WOULD BE MORE EXPENSIVE.

PEOPLE WHO OWN PROPERTY WOULD WANT TO HOLD ON TO THEIR STUFF AND GET MORE, GIVEN THERE'S MORE MONEY.

>> DARYL: SENATOR SHIMABUKURO, THIS IS A QUESTION FROM KAULANA.

EVEN WITH ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS, MOST DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH TO QUALIFY.

HOW DOES DHHL HOPE TO SUPPORT FINANCIAL FOR NON-LEASEHOLDERS?

ARE THERE THINGS IN THE BILL THAT WOULD OFFER THAT SUPPORT?

>> IN THIS BILL, I GUESS IT DEPENDS ON WHAT UNITS WERE BUILT.

I MISSPOKE, I THINK 300 MILLION FOR NEIGHBOR ISLANDS.

WE DO HAVE OTHER MEASURES.

ONE IN PARTICULAR IN THE BUDGET.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE'S FUNDING TO BUILD A RENTAL PROJECT AT THE FORMER BOWL-O-DROME SITE.

DHHL'S AIMING TO PRICE THAT.

I BELIEVE IT'S 80% OF AMI OR LESS.

THEY'RE LOOKING AT -- TO HAVE A TRADITIONAL MORTGAGE.

DHHL IS WORKING ON RENT WITH OPTION TO PURCHASE PROJECT IN HAWAI'I ISLAND.

SO THOSE KINDS OF OPTIONS ARE THINGS THAT COULD HELP PEOPLE THAT CAN'T QUALIFY FOR MORTGAGES.

>> DARYL: LET ME ASK TYLER A KIND OF BACKGROUND QUESTION.

WHEN PEOPLE TALK ABOUT $600 MILLION, I THINK THEY THINK THEY'RE GOING TO USE $300,000 TO BUILD A HOUSE.

200,000 TO BUILD A LOT.

MONEY WILL GO AWAY.

MANY, IF NOT MOST, OF THE BENEFICIARIES ARE GOING TO BE BUYING THINGS THAT COST MORE THAN THEIR LOT.

$600 MILLION LEVERAGES OUT TO A ECONOMIC VALUE MUCH HIGHER THAN $600 MILLION.

HAVE YOU DONE THAT MATH, AND COULD YOU EXPLAIN TO FOLKS WHY $600 MILLION IS WORTH A LOT MORE THAN $600 MILLION?

>> WE'VE HAD A COUPLE MONTHS TO CONTEMPLATE IT.

BUT $600 MILLION, WE CAN LOOK AT IT A COUPLE WAYS.

LET'S LOOK AT IT IN TERMS OF DOWN PAYMENT.

WE KNOW THAT $600 MILLION -- AND I DON'T THINK ALL $600 MILLION IN THE SENATE VERSION IS INTENDED TO GO DO THAT.

THAT COULD CHANGE NOT ONLY THE SHAPE OF THE WAITLIST BUT THE REALITY OF ACQUIRED HOME OWNERSHIP IN HAWAI'I.

FEE SIMPLE ALLOWS FOR EXTRA LEVERAGING.

YOU CAN BORROW MORE.

HAVE ACCESS TO MORE LOAN PRODUCTS.

ONE WAY TO TRANSLATE IN THAT WAY.

IF ALL $600 MILLION WERE DIVERTED TO CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, WHAT PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE IS THE DEPARTMENT SUBSIDIZES ALMOST $150,000 ON AVERAGE TO PUT THE BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE IN EVERY LOT, WHICH IS WATER, ELECTRIC, SEWER, INTERNET.

$600 MILLION PARCELED OUT MIGHT SEEM LIKE A FLAT AMOUNT.

WE'VE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO APPROACH CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS WITH THE VAST MAJORITY IF NOT ALL FUNDING AT THE FRONT END OF THE PROJECT.

IF WE ARE ABLE TO RECEIVE THOSE SUMS, IT COULD NOT ONLY SPEED UP THE CONSTRUCTION PIPELINE, IT MIGHT CHANGE AND DIVERSIFY THE LOT OFFERINGS.

>> DARYL: I'M GOING TO RESPECT OUR AUDIENCE AND READ SOME QUESTIONS.

WE'RE GETTING QUITE A BIT.

HOMEOWNERSHIP IS ARCHAIC.

NO MORTGAGES FIGURED OUT.

MAILE -- SENATOR SHIMABUKURO DID MENTION THERE ARE RENTAL PROJECTS AND SO ON THAT ARE IN THE WORKS.

AND SO I THINK THAT'S THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION.

I WAS NEVER ASKED OR SENT A LETTER TO GET $100,000, FROM CAMERON.

THAT WOULD NEVER PAY FOR RENT.

YOU STILL THINK WE KANAKA STUPID?

NOTHING LESS THAN $700,000.

LET ME ASK BLOSSOM.

YOU MENTIONED YOU WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT PAYMENT IN LIEU OF.

ARE YOU A LITTLE AFRAID PEOPLE WILL TAKE THAT MONEY, LEAVE THAT WAITLIST AND BE IN A WORSE PLACE?

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, BEING THAT I WORKED ON THE -- BEFORE, YOU CAN BUILD IN CERTAIN PROTECTIVE MEASURES.

WHAT YOU HAVE IS A FAMILY WHO WANTS TO BE A HOMEOWNER.

ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS IS A BRIGHT STAR IN THE SKY FOR THEM.

FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO FACE THE REALITY EVEN WITH $100,000, THEY MAY NOT GET A FEE SIMPLE HOME KIND OF DEFEATS THE PURPOSE.

I WANT TO BE CAUTIOUS.

WE'RE DANGLING THAT CARROT OUT THERE.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE ENOUGH SUPPORTIVE PROGRAMS THAT CAN HELP BOOST THEM TO THE POINT WHERE THEY CAN USE THAT $100,000 MORE EFFECTIVELY.

AND THAT IS NOT CONTAINED WITHIN THE STRUCTURE OF THE BILL.

>> DARYL: I'VE GOT A COUPLE QUESTIONS THAT ARE VERY INTERESTING.

ONE FROM FAITH.

NOT GIVING MONEY.

INDIGENOUS HAWAIIANS' RIGHT, PERIOD.

OUR LANDS ARE IN TRUST.

TRUST IS ABUSED AND NEGLECTED BIG TIME.

THIS OTHER QUESTION, BASICALLY -- SO HAWAIIAN HOMES SHOULD BE GIVEN TO HAWAIIANS.

TYLER GOMES FROM DHHL, ONE OF THE INTERESTING DEBATES WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE CASINO, GOVERNMENT PEOPLE TEND TO BE PATRONIZING.

DO YOU THINK THIS IS A SIGN MAYBE THAT THERE IS A WILLINGNESS TO TRUST YOU NOW MORE THAN BEFORE?

AND TALK ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THAT.

>> I DO THINK THAT THE MONEY IS A SIGN THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS WILLING -- OUR LEGISLATURE IN PARTICULAR IS WILLING TO TRUST THE DEPARTMENT.

WE HAVE TO EARN THE TRUST BECAUSE THERE WERE MISMANAGEMENT.

WE KNOW THAT BECAUSE SETTLEMENTS WERE REACHED.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT TOM WAS POINTING OUT THE FACT THAT THERE WAS UNSPENT FEDERAL DOLLARS.

IN THE EARLY 2010s, LEGISLATURE WAS PROVIDING ZERO DOLLARS, SAYING THE DEPARTMENT SHOULD RELY ON SETTLEMENT MONEY.

SO PRIOR ADMINISTRATION'S DECISION TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO SAVE MONEY, THAT'S REFLECTED IN ONE HUNDRED YEARS DHHL HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE IN TERMS OF FIGURING OUT HOW TO MAKE DO WITH WHAT IT HAS.

HOPES OF CONVINCING THOSE WITH THE PURSE STRINGS TO GIVE US MORE.

WHAT I WILL SPEAK TO IS THE STRENGTH OF OUR ADMINISTRATION AND WILLINGNESS TO BE INNOVATIVE AND TRY NEW THINGS.

FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROVIDED US $2 MILLION.

AS A RESULT OF THE PROBLEM THAT TOM POINTED OUT.

A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, SENATOR SCHATZ ANNOUNCED ALLOCATIONS IN THOSE FUNDS.

WE'RE SEEING REINVIGORATION OF TRUST AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL.

>> DARYL: SEVERAL QUESTIONS ALONG THIS THEME.

AGAIN QUESTIONING KIND OF THE COMPETENCE.

DHHL COMPLETELY FAILED IN ITS DELIVERABLE.

BLOCKING INNOVATIVE BUILDING OPTIONS.

400,000 IS NOT A DENT WHEN YOU HAVE MORE HAWAIIANS LIVING IN LAS VEGAS.

BLOSSOM, WHEN THEY SAY BLOCKING BUILDING OPTIONS, WHAT ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT?

>> THERE ARE SOME THAT BELIEVE THAT USING ALTERNATIVE BUILDING MATERIALS CAN CUT DOWN COSTS.

COMING UP WITH MORE RELAXED BUILDING CODE CAN CUT COSTS.

THE CHALLENGE IS, WE ARE WORKING WITH THE STATE AGENCY WHOSE ABILITY TO BE MORE FLEXIBLE DOESN'T EXIST.

AND IT TAKE A LOT OF WORK TO GO TO A STATE AGENCY LIKE DHHL AND START TO WORKING ON RULE-MAKING SO WE CAN DO THINGS THAT WE WANT TO DO.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST, SINCE '95, MAYBE '96, BENEFICIARIES HAVE COME FORWARD WITH INNOVATIVE WAYS OF UTILIZING THE LANDS.

WE HAVE THE KULEANA HOMESTEADING PROGRAM THAT MAKES THE WAITLIST LESS LENGTHY.

TAKE A PIECE OF RAW LAND AND DO WHAT YOU WILL.

ADDRESSES THOSE THAT ARE THE LOWEST INCOME LEVEL ON THE WAITLIST.

THAT HAS BEEN EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL.

SO AS THESE NEW INNOVATIVE IDEAS COME FORWARD, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE AND DEPARTMENT HAS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE ABLE TO DEPLOY PROPERLY, THAT WE CAUSE NO HARM TO OUR BENEFICIARIES OR THEIR SUCCESSORS.

THAT TAKE A LOT OF TIME.

GOVERNMENT IS BUREAUCRACY TIMES TEN.

AND THAT IS UNFORTUNATE, BUT IF WE ARE WILLING AND ABLE TO LEARN WHAT THE PROCESS IS AND ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE, WHAT WE SEE IS A GREAT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN OUR AGENCY AND BENEFICIARIES.

THAT HAS BEEN A CATALYST FOR A LOT OF INNOVATION AND NEW STUFF COMING DOWN THE PIPE WITH HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

$600 MILLION IS A MAJOR SHOT IN THE ARM FOR THE BENEFICIARIES AND FOR THE DEPARTMENT.

AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT UP UNTIL 2017, IF THE DEPARTMENT GOT $10 MILLION IN CIP MONEY, THEY COUNT THEMSELVES LUCKY.

SAW $43 MILLION FIRST TIME EVER DURING THE PANDEMIC, DEPARTMENT RECEIVED CIP OF THE STATE OF HAWAI'I MAKING A FIRMER COMMITMENT OF $600 MILLION.

MORE THAN THE SUFFICIENT SUMS -- BUDGET ASK FROM LAST YEAR.

EVERYTHING IS STARTING TO COALESCE.

WE NEED TO START WORKING COHESIVELY TOGETHER, BENEFICIARIES AND DEPARTMENT, TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN FOR US.

>> DARYL: TOM, I THINK ONE OF THE INTERESTING THINGS HERE IS THE STATEMENTS ABOUT BUREAUCRACY AND RED TAPE.

IF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS WAS FREE TO DO WITH ITS LAND WHAT IT WANTED TO DO, IT MAY HAVE BEEN MORE EFFECTIVE OVER THE YEARS AND INTO THE FUTURE?

>> DEFINITELY.

RIGHT NOW HOUSING GENERALLY HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO LEGENDARY DELAYS.

BECAUSE OF THE MULTIPLE LAYERS OF PERMITTING AND REVIEW AND MORE REVIEW THAT ARE HOISTED UPON DEVELOPERS.

THAT'S PART OF WHAT DHHL HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING.

WHEN THEY DEVELOP, THEY HAVE TO GET PERMITS TOO.

THAT'S BEEN A BIG PROBLEM.

>> DARYL: MAILE, SENATOR SHIMABUKURO, IS THE LEGISLATURE READY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT?

>> WELL, THAT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM.

ALTHOUGH DHHL IS TECHNICALLY EXEMPT FROM LAND USE AND RESTRICTIONS PRIVATE DEVELOPERS ARE, THEY NEED TO CONFORM TO GOVERNMENT STANDARDS IF THEY WANT TO HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE COUNTY.

BUT THAT'S BEEN A PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME NOW.

WE HAVE A BILL, SBA.

THAT REQUIRES THE COUNTY TO EXPECT DEDICATION WITHIN 60 DAYS.

IT'S AN ONGOING PROBLEM.

DHHL HAS TO MAINTAIN THEIR STREETS AND WATER LINES AND SEWER LINES.

MAKES IT EXPENSIVE TO DO.

>> DARYL: TYLER GOMES, I GOT A NUMBER OF ISSUES WHERE PEOPLE ARE ASKING, WHY DON'T YOU JUST BUILD HIGH-RISES OR APARTMENTS FOR YOUR YOUNG FAMILIES?

INSTEAD OF -- WHAT IS THE ATTACHMENT TO LAND?

IS THAT BECAUSE THE LAW IS A HOMESTEAD LAND BASED ACT AS OPPOSED TO HCDA AGENCY WHERE YOU BUILD AS MANY AS YOU CAN AND SELL AT A DISCOUNT?

>> FROM A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE, BUILT ON PRINCE KUHIO, WE ARE A LAND-BASED PEOPLE.

CULTURE IS LINKED TO AND TIED TO THE LAND THAT THEY LIVE.

THERE ARE ELEMENTS OF THE HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS COMMISSION ACT.

CONDOMINIUMS ARE DIFFICULT TO ISSUE 99 YEARS.

WE DON'T KNOW IF CONDOMINIUMS CAN LAST 99 YEARS.

WE JUST CANNOT COMMITMENT TO A 99-YEAR LEASE ON THAT PROJECT.

ONLY IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER, IN TERMS OF DEMAND, WE SURVEY OUR BENEFICIARIES ABOUT EVERY SIX YEAR.

76% WANT A SINGLE FAMILY TURN KEY HOME.

LESS THAN 5% -- DON'T QUOTE ME, BUT LESS THAN 5% WANT TO LIVE IN A CONDOMINIUM STYLE PROJECT.

THE QUESTION IS, WOULD WE BE ABLE TO FILL IT?

IF WE DID FILL IT, WOULD PEOPLE WHO MEASURE THE SUCCESS, WOULD THEY BE SATISFIED?

NONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WOULD COME OFF THE WAITLIST BECAUSE IT'S NOT A 99-YEAR LEASE.

>> DARYL: QUESTION FROM TONY.

HOW WELL DOES SPECIAL FUNDING SUPPORT AGRICULTURAL LEASES?

I'VE BEEN ON THE LIST SINCE 1977.

I THINK THIS IMAGE BEING SELF-SUFFICIENT IS AN ISSUE.

SENATOR SHIMABUKURO, ARE THERE EFFORTS TO GET MORE HAWAIIANS ON LAND THAT THEY CAN FARM?

>> YEAH.

I MEAN THERE IS SOME -- YEAH, ABOUT $300 MILLION FOR NEIGHBOR ISLANDS, AND I'M SEEING ON HOOLEHUA, ON MOLOKAI, 30 MILLION.

AND SO THERE IS AN ATTEMPT.

YEAH, KAU PHASE 3.

25 NEW PASTURE LOTS.

40 MILLION HONOMU, 2 MILLION.

THERE ARE SOME AG FOCUS IN THE CURRENT DRAFT OF HB 2511.

>> DARYL: TYLER, YOU WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING?

>> I WANTED TO POINT OUT AGRICULTURAL LOTS.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO HIGHLIGHT IT AS A NEW PRODUCT BECAUSE UNDER THE HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS LOTS, AG LOTS WERE A COUPLE ACRES.

THAT'S NOT IDEAL FOR EVERYONE IN TERMS OF WANTING TO BE A FARMER.

NEW PRODUCT ENABLES US TO DO MUCH SMALLER LOTS.

THAT SHOULD ALLOW US TO INCREASE DENSITY AND GET MORE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN DOING AGRICULTURE.

>> DARYL: BLOSSOM, DO YOU SEE PEOPLE WAITING, WAITING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A FARM LOT?

>> WELL, THE LAST AGRICULTURAL LOT AWARDED BY THE DEPARTMENT WAS IN 1985.

OUR AGRICULTURAL WAITLIST IS LONGER.

WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY AREAS ON WEST MAUI, CENTRAL MAUI AND UP COUNTRY THAT WILL PROVIDE ABOUT 600 AG LOTS.

THERE ARE SUBSTANCE LOTS.

BETWEEN ONE AND TWO ACRE LOTS.

THEY'RE SAYING THEY HAVE THE CAPACITY TO FARM.

BUT I THINK WHAT'S MORE IMPORTANT IS THAT WE'RE SLOWLY COMING OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC.

REALIZATION THAT OUR ABILITY TO SUSTAIN OUR FOOD WAS VERY MUCH AT RISK DURING THE PANDEMIC.

HARDER AND CLOSER FOCUS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF AG LOTS.

AND SO ANY TIME THAT WE CAN DEPLOY LOTS OF ALL ACTIVITIES, IT'S ALWAYS A GOOD THING.

WE'VE GOT PEOPLE READY AND WILLING TO GO TO GET THAT STUFF DONE.

I'M SORRY, I CAN'T GET OVER THE FACT THAT THE STATE IS GIVING THE DEPARTMENT $600 MILLION.

>> DARYL: SENATOR SHIMABUKURO, SEEN INITIATIVES THAT SEEM TO HAVE FULL CONSENSUS OF THE LEGISLATURE, LIKE THIS, EVEN IF PEOPLE WHO EXPRESSED RESERVATIONS, THEY'RE VOTING FOR IT.

AND PEOPLE LIKE BLOSSOM, DEPARTMENT IS VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

IS THERE ANY DARK CLOUD ON THESE HORIZON?

ANY REASON WHY THIS BILL MIGHT NOT GET THROUGH?

>> I HOPE NOT.

I MEAN, THERE ARE TIMES THAT WE ARE TOLD DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT -- THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY CONSTRAINT.

SOME KIND OF ERUPTION ON THE BIG ISLAND OR NATURAL DISASTER, THAT COULD AFFECT THE BUDGET.

AND I GUESS IF THERE'S ANY KIND OF CHANGE IN THE ECONOMY.

SOMETIMES WE'LL HEAR ON THE COUNCIL OF REVENUES, REVENUES THEY THOUGHT WERE COMING IN ARE NOT.

WE HAVE TO GO BACK AND TAKE AWAY APPROPRIATIONS WE THOUGHT WE COULD GIVE OUT.

THOSE THINGS HOPEFULLY WON'T HAPPEN IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS OR SO, BUT OTHERWISE -- AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THAT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IS THE BILL, IT NEEDS TO BE HEARD BY WAYS AND MEANS, WHICH I ANTICIPATE IT WILL.

THEN WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TWO VERSIONS, THE HOUSE VERSION AND SENATE VERSION.

HOUSE VERSION IS MORE FLEXIBLE.

THAT WOULD NEED TO BE RECONCILED.

GOOD THING IS BOTH HOUSES HAVE DEFINITELY -- THERE ARE TWO VERSIONS.

SEEMS REALLY COMMITTED TO THIS AMOUNT.

OPTIMISTIC.

>> DARYL: TOM YAMACHIKA, COUPLE QUESTIONS.

ONE IS, THERE ARE MANY OTHER ISSUES FACING HAWAI'I SUCH AS HOMELESS.

SHOULD BE DIVVIED UP.

NANCY FROM PEARL CITY.

>> BENEFICIARY AND WAITLISTS NEED THEIR BASIC NEEDS MET.

HOW CAN DHHL -- IS THERE A SENSE TOO MUCH GOING TO ONE PLACE?

ARE THERE UNMET NEEDS THAT COULD USE THIS MONEY BETTER?

>> THERE ARE ALWAYS UNMET NEEDS.

EVERY YEAR WITH EVERY LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

RECENTLY, THERE'S BEEN CONCERNS OVER MAINTENANCE BACKLOGS AND THE AIRPORT.

U.H.

WITH THE SAME CRITICISM.

ALL KINDS OF THINGS THAT IN THE MINDS OF VARIOUS ADVOCATES, MONEY COULD BE BETTER SPENT.

AND SO THIS DEBATE HAPPENS EVERY YEAR.

AND ONCE IN A WHILE YOU HAVE TO SET IT ASIDE AND SAY AS A POLICY MATTER, WE'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE THIS YEAR.

THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING TO THIS ISSUE.

IT WON'T HAPPEN EVERY YEAR, SO I THINK IT'S UP TO THE LEGISLATURES TO STRIKE THE IRON WHILE IT'S HOT.

>> DARYL: INTERESTING.

TOM, YOU WERE ON THIS SHOW AS ONE OF THE FEW PEOPLE THAT CAN CRITICIZE THIS IDEA.

>> SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE SAYING NOT A BAD IDEA.

DOESN'T SOUND LIKE YOU'RE AGAINST THIS?

>> NO, NOT AT ALL.

WE DO WANT TO SEE SOME GOOD COME FROM THIS.

WE JUST ARE CONCERNED THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WHATEVER IS SCREWING UP THE DEPLOYMENT OF THIS RESOURCES, THEIR INTENDED USE IN THE PAST, THAT THESE PROBLEMS ARE BEING CLEARED.

THEY'RE WELL UNDERSTOOD AND THERE'S A PATH FORWARD TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS.

YOU CAN'T JUST THROW MONEY AT SOMETHING AND EXPECT IT TO BE INVOLVED.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE STUMBLING BLOCKS ARE, WHAT THE ISSUES ARE, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GET AROUND THEM AND DEPLOY IT IN THE MOST EFFICIENT POSSIBLE MANNER TO DO THE MOST GOOD.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO SEE.

>> DARYL: TYLER GOMES FROM DHHL, I WANT TO COMPOUND THAT WITH A COUPLE QUESTIONS.

A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS ACTUALLY.

ASKING WHETHER -- WE STARTED THIS SHOW WITH THIS QUESTION, BUT THE AGENCIES HAD SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS MANAGING FUNDS AND LANDS THEY CURRENTLY HAVE.

WHY WOULD I EXPECT THIS TO BE DONE BETTER?

LARRY.

SOMEONE SAID, IS THERE GOING TO BE A PERSON THAT'S GOING TO TELL US HOW EVERY PENNY IS SPENT?

ANOTHER PERSON SAID, YOU'VE NEVER HAD ENOUGH STAFF TO GET YOUR JOB DONE?

HOW DO YOU REASSURE THE PUBLIC THAT -- I WON'T CALL IT WINDFALL.

HOW IS IT THAT YOU CAN ASSURE THE PUBLIC THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE DONE EFFICIENTLY, QUICKLY, EFFECTIVELY AND WON'T BE WASTE?

>> IT'S CLEAR FROM THE LEGISLATURE'S INTENT, THEY INTEND TO SEE THAT EVERY PENNY OF THIS MONEY IS SPENT CORRECTLY AND IS ACCOUNTED FOR.

THAT'S GOING TO BE UP TO OUR LEGISLATORS.

INCORPORATED IN THE BILL.

FILLING MUCH-NEEDED POSITIONS, WHICH WE WERE UNABLE TO FILL DURING THE PANDEMIC DUE TO THE FREEZE.

THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN A HUNDRED YEARS OF MISSION MANAGEMENT.

THAT'S A DISCREDIT TO THE MANY ADMINISTRATORS AND STAFF WHO WORKED TIRELESSLY.

LOOK AT EVERYTHING THIS DEPARTMENT HAS DONE IN SPITE OF.

LOOK AT EVERYTHING THIS DEPARTMENT HAS DONE IN TERMS OF FUNDING BEING WITHHELD.

THE FACT THAT THE SUGAR LOBBY SUCCESSFULLY GOT SOME OF THE WORST LAND TO DEVELOP HOMESTEADING IN SPITE OF ALL THOSE THINGS, WE MANAGED TO ACCELERATE DEVELOPMENT.

LOOK AT ALL WE'VE DONE WITH ALL THE LIMITATIONS WE'VE FACED, ALL THE BACKLASH.

THAT IS A CREDIT TO SOME VERY HARD-WORKING STAFF AND COMMISSIONERS AND ADMINISTRATORS AND DEPUTIES WHO HAVE DONE A LOT WITH VERY LITTLE.

I THINK THAT IS A TESTAMENT TO THE STORY OF THE HAWAIIAN PEOPLE IN HAWAI'I.

WE HAVE ALWAYS EXPECTED TO DO A LOT WITH LITTLE.

WE HAVE EXPECTED TO BE GRATEFUL.

WHEN I LOOK AT THE DEPARTMENT, I DON'T SEE FAILURE.

I SEE A HUNDRED YEARS OF REALLY STRONG WORK.

EVERYTHING PUT IN OUR PAST TO GET TO THIS POINT.

>> DARYL: BLOSSOM, DO YOU THINK MOST BENEFICIARIES FEEL THAT WAY?

>> NO, THEY DON'T.

BUT I THINK WHAT I CAN SAY FOR THE MAJORITY OF THEM IS TYLER'S CORRECT.

WE HAVE BEEN PUT UPON, WE HAVE BEEN TOLD TO WAIT.

WAIT YOUR TURN.

IN THE HAWAI'I STATE CONSTITUTION, THIS FEDERAL LAW THAT MADE HAWAI'I A STATE, THERE IS AN OBLIGATION THAT THE STATE HAS TO THE NATIVE HAWAIIAN PEOPLE.

BENEFICIARIES OF THE HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS TRUST.

WE SEE IT CARRIED TO THE UTMOST.

I WILL GIVE CREDIT TO DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

YOU GOT PEOPLE IN THERE THAT IS DRIVEN TO SERVE OUR PEOPLE IN A WAY THAT CAN PRODUCE LOTS, PRODUCE WATER DEVELOPMENT, THEY DO EVERYTHING THAT THEY CAN TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE LOTS ARE DEVELOPED AND DEPLOYED TO PEOPLE ON THE WAITLIST.

I HAVE TO AGREE WITH TYLER ON THAT.

I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT GOING ON 25 YEARS.

MORE HAS BEEN DONE IN THE LAST 25 YEARS WITH LACK OF STAFF AND LACK OF FUNDING THAN THE LAST 75.

>> DARYL: BLOSSOM, I WANT TO READ THAT NOTE FROM VALERIE FROM MAUI.

THANK BLOSSOM FOR DEDICATING HER LIFE TO THIS FIGHT.

SENATOR SHIMABUKURO, LAST YEAR -- I THINK LAST YEAR, MIGHT HAVE BEEN A YEAR BEFORE.

PRETTY MUCH SHOT DOWN AFTER CURSORY HEARINGS, A CASINO ON HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

DO YOU SEE THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY BEING PROVIDED OUT OF GENERAL FUNDS, IS IT AN EFFORT TO SOFTEN THE PRESSURE TO ALLOW HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS TO DO SOMETHING LIKE A CASINO?

>> YEAH.

I THINK THAT THE MESSAGE HAS FINALLY GOTTEN OUT TO THE POLICYMAKERS.

IT'S REALLY LONG OVERDUE THAT DHHL GETS THE SUPPORT IT NEEDS.

I THINK THAT PERHAPS THAT CASINO DEBATE HIGHLIGHTED THAT.

THAT DHHL WAS REALLY DESPERATE TO LOOK FOR WAYS.

THE STAR-ADVERTISER ARTICLE SHOWS WITH 28,000 ON THE WAITLIST AND BUDGET, I THINK IT WILL TAKE OVER A CENTURY TO GET THROUGH PEOPLE ON THE WAITLIST NOW.

IT DID HIGHLIGHT STATE NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE.

YEAH, AND ANOTHER EXCITING BILL.

TO TRANSFER LANDS AT THE DIAMOND HEAD AREA.

FROM U.H.

TO DHHL.

ANOTHER INTERESTING ONE TO FOLLOW.

>> DARYL: AREA BELOW KCC.

LET ME ASK THIS QUESTION.

IS THE CASINO STILL THERE?

YOU'VE GOT THESE PROPERTIES THAT YOU CAN'T PUT HOUSES ON THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET REVENUE TO BUILD HOUSES SOMEWHERE ELSE.

THAT WAS THE MAIN POINT FOR THE CASINO.

YOU MADE THE POINT THAT REJECTION OF THAT WAS AGAIN PATRONIZING WAY OF TREATING NATIVE HAWAIIANS.

DOES THIS CURRENT APPROPRIATION MEAN YOU WILL NOT COME BACK AND ASK FOR CASINO OPPORTUNITY AGAIN?

>> I CAN'T SPEAK TO WHAT FUTURE ADMINISTRATIONS ARE GOING TO PUSH.

I THINK AS LONG AS THERE'S AN INTEREST FROM THE DEPARTMENT, FROM BENEFICIARIES WHICH THERE ARE.

BENEFICIARIES WHO SUPPORT THIS AND THERE'S SUPPORT FROM THE COMMISSION.

IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE A LEGISLATIVE CHANGE TO STATE LAW.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S IN STORE FOR NEXT YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE.

AS LONG AS THERE'S INTEREST, THERE'S ALWAYS THE POSSIBILITY.

I DON'T THINK THE GAMING DISCUSSION IS GOING TO GO AWAY.

>> IT'S BEEN GOING ON THE LAST 20 YEARS.

IT WILL CONTINUE TO COME UP.

WHETHER IT'S THE DEPARTMENT PUSHING OR SOMEONE ELSE.

I HOPE THERE IS -- IT WOULD REALLY FRUSTRATE ME TO KNOW THAT 10, 15 YEARS DOWN THE LINE.

>> DARYL: AND TOM YAMACHIKA, IN A BRIEF ANSWER, WHAT MECHANISM WOULD COMFORT YOU IN TERMS OF MONITORING THIS MONEY?

IS THERE SOMETHING THEY CAN DO TO MAKE SURE THIS MONEY IS SPENT WELL?

OVERSIGHT MECHANISM?

>> BEST THING, IN MOST INSTANCES, A WHOLE LOT OF TRANSPARENCY.

TOO OFTEN, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES HAVE THEIR SPECIAL FUNDS.

THEY SPEND IT HOWEVER THEY WANT AND NOBODY CAN SEE WHAT IT IS THEY'RE DOING.

PEOPLE LIKE YOU IN THE PRESS CAN'T COVER IT BECAUSE THERE'S A VEIL OVER IT.

WE NEED TO NOT HAVE IT.

WE NEED TO HAVE PEOPLE LOOK AT IT, SEE WHAT'S GOING ON, AND IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT SMELLS PILAU, WE NEED SOMEBODY TO SEE IT AND BRING IT TO ATTENTION.

>> DARYL: BLOSSOM, WHAT'S YOUR HOPE NOW?

ARE YOU MORE HOPEFUL THAN BEFORE?

>> I'VE ALWAYS BEEN HOPEFUL THAT THE DEPARTMENT AND BENEFICIARIES CAN WORK TOGETHER TO SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS.

INFLUX OF FUNDS WILL MAKE THAT RELATIONSHIP A LOT STRONGER.

I THINK THAT MR. YAMACHIKA IS CORRECT.

CONCERN ABOUT TRANSPARENCY.

IF WE CAN RESPOND TO THE CONCERNS AND COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS, WE'LL BE ABLE TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE AND SEE A HOST OF AWARDS HAPPEN IN THE NEXT FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS.

THANK YOU.

>> DARYL: AND WHAT IS YOUR -- WHAT ARE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND ALL THESE FOLKS SAYING ABOUT THIS?

DOES IT MAKE THEM FEEL LIKE CHANGE HAS FINALLY COME?

>> THEY'RE GOING INTO A SMALL KINE PANIC.

WITH THIS MONEY COMES OPPORTUNITY, BECOMES A REALITY.

THEY'RE LOOKING FOR HOME BUYER EDUCATION PROGRAM, GETTING DOCUMENTS TOGETHER.

DOING ALL THE THINGS THEY NEED TO DO TO PREPARE FOR THIS.

YEAH, WE'RE SEEING A FLURRY OF ACTIVITIES IN THE BENEFICIARY COMMUNITY.

TO GET READY FOR THIS.

>> DARYL: THANK YOU, BLOSSOM.

AND MAHALO TO ALL OUR AUDIENCE FOR JOINING US.

AND WE THANK OUR GUESTS -- DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS DEPUTY DIRECTOR TYLER GOMES, STATE SENATOR MAILE SHIMABUKURO, HAWAIIAN HOMESTEAD BENEFICIARY BLOSSOM FEITEIRA, AND TOM YAMACHIKA FROM THE TAX FOUNDATION OF HAWAI'I.

>>> NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS, GETTING TO KNOW HAWAI'I'S POLITICAL PARTIES.

ALTHOUGH LOCAL POLITICS IS DOMINATED BY ONE PARTY, THERE ARE A TOTAL OF SIX THAT HAVE QUALIFIED FOR THIS YEAR'S ELECTIONS.

WE'VE INVITED REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALL OF THEM TO TELL US WHAT THEY STAND FOR AND WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER THEIR CANDIDATES.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I'M DARYL HUFF FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I.

ALOHA!