The well-being of Native Hawaiians is deeply rooted in our connection to the land.
Support House Bill 606 - Secure Housing for Native Hawaiians
HB606 is a critical bill that seeks to increase funding for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) and provide much-needed housing for the 29,000 Native Hawaiians still waiting for homesteads. Rising housing costs—driven by foreign investment, short-term rentals, and military presence—have left many in our lāhui struggling with houselessness and unstable living conditions.
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A thriving Kanaka Maoli population strengthens Hawaiian culture, traditions, and values—benefiting not only Native Hawaiians but all of Hawaiʻi. HB606 honors the vision of Prince Kūhiō and the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act by securing resources for safe, affordable, and dignified housing for Native Hawaiian families. Mahalo to our Legislators. Democracy in Motion.
UPDATE REPORT on HB606
Support HB606 – Funding for Hawaiian Homes.
UPDATE (2/22/25)
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HB606 is gaining momentum! After passing the House Committee on Housing and the House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs (JHA), the bill has now cleared the House Committee on Finance (FIN) on February 25, 2025, with a unanimous vote.
Mahalo to the House Finance Committee!
The committee recommended that HB606 be PASSED, UNAMENDED.
✅ 14 AYES: Representatives Yamashita, Takenouchi, Grandinetti, Holt, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kusch, Lamosao, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Templo, Alcos, Reyes Oda
✅ 0 NOES
✅ 2 EXCUSED: Representatives Kitagawa, Ward
This bill would allocate $600 million to DHHL to provide critical housing for the 29,000+ Native Hawaiians still waiting for homesteads under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act.
✊ #KakooHB606 #HousingForHawaiians #MyHomeMyHawaii
HB606 Moves to the Senate – First Hearing Scheduled!
HB606 has passed the House floor vote and is now in the Senate! The bill has been referred to the Senate Hawaiian Affairs Committee (HWN) and Senate Housing Committee (HOU) for a joint hearing, followed by the Senate Ways and Means Committee (WAM).
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Next Hearing:
🗓 Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2025
⏰ Time: 1:05 PM
🏛 Location: Conference Room 225 & Videoconference
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What’s Next?
HB606 must pass multiple Senate committees before final approval. This is a critical moment to show strong community support!
📢 Submit Testimony to Help Push HB606 Forward!
Your voice is essential in urging lawmakers to prioritize Native Hawaiian housing.
💡 Visit www.myhomemyhawaii.org for updates and testimony instructions.
Together, we can turn promises into reality. Mahalo for standing with us!
Click Here: Submit TESTIMONY
Why HB606 Matters
🔹 Eases Hawai‘i’s housing crisis—More homes for DHHL beneficiaries reduce competition in the overall housing market, making housing more accessible for all local residents.
🔹 Supports economic stability—Stable housing leads to better job retention, educational success for keiki, and stronger financial security for families.
🔹 Reduces Native Hawaiian houselessness—Native Hawaiians are disproportionately represented in Hawai‘i’s houseless population. Investing in DHHL housing directly addresses this crisis.
🔹 Invests in future generations—Homeownership creates opportunities for Native Hawaiian families to build wealth, establish roots, and pass down stability to future generations.
🔹 Strengthens Hawai‘i’s economy—HB606 will generate jobs, support local businesses, and boost economic activity through housing development.
🔹 Protects cultural identity and connection to ‘āina—When Native Hawaiians are forced to leave, we risk losing the cultural practices, traditions, and knowledge that make Hawai‘i unique.
🔹 Lowers the cost of living for Native Hawaiians—Affordable homesteads help reduce financial strain so families can afford basic necessities and stay in Hawai‘i.
🔹 Uplifts all of Hawai‘i—When Native Hawaiians thrive, all who call Hawai‘i home benefits—from a stronger economy to a healthier, more vibrant community.
HOW TO TAKE ACTION – Submit Your Testimony
Click Here: Submit TESTIMONY
Your testimony is critical in showing strong community support for HB606. Whether written or in-person, your voice matters!
Submit your testimony online here: Register for an account
Deadline: Testimony must be submitted at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled hearing.
STEP-BY-STEP: How to Submit Testimony
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Click the link to Register for an account
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Submit your testimony in support of HB606.
Sign up to testify in person or via Zoom if possible!
SPREAD THE WORD!
The more testimonies submitted, the stronger our impact! Share this page with your ‘ohana, friends, and colleagues. Let’s come together to support housing for Native Hawaiians.
Mahalo for your support—together, we can make this happen!
S A M P L E T E S T I M O N Y
Testimony in Support of HB606
Aloha Chair Yamashita, Vice Chair Takenouchi, and Members of the House Committee on Finance,
My name is [Your Name], and I am writing in strong support of HB606, which allocates $600 million to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL). This funding is essential to addressing the long-overdue need for housing among Native Hawaiians.
Currently, 29,000 Native Hawaiians remain on the DHHL waitlist, many of whom have waited decades. When factoring in their ‘ohana, the true number impacted is far greater. Meanwhile, Hawai‘i’s soaring cost of living continues to push Native Hawaiians out of their homeland. According to Hawai‘i Migration Flows data, more Native Hawaiians are leaving the state than returning, a crisis that threatens not just individuals, but the future of our communities and culture.
This displacement is especially unjust when considering that Hawaiian land and culture are central to the state’s largest industries—tourism and the military. The tourism industry generates billions annually, marketing Hawaiian identity—our language, hula, food, and aloha spirit—while Native Hawaiians struggle to afford housing. At the same time, the U.S. military occupies thousands of acres of Hawaiian land, often under leases as low as $1 per year, further compounding the inequity.
HB606 is more than a housing bill—it’s an investment in Hawai‘i’s future. Stable housing strengthens families, keeps keiki in schools, and allows our lāhui to thrive. Funding DHHL will not only provide homes but also ease pressure on the broader housing market, benefiting all Hawai‘i residents. If we fail to act now, the next generation of Native Hawaiians may have no choice but to leave.
The State of Hawai‘i has a clear obligation to fulfill the promise of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. Act 279 was a step forward, but it only addressed a fraction of the need, funding just over 6,000 homes. HB606 is a critical opportunity to uphold that responsibility, ensuring Native Hawaiians can remain in the land of their ancestors, where they rightfully belong.
I respectfully urge this committee to pass HB606 and take a stand for housing, justice, and Hawai‘i’s future.
Mahalo for your time and leadership.
[Your Name]
[Your Organization] (if applicable)
[Your Contact Information]
Call to ACTION
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Hawaiʻi’s rising cost of living, including soaring rents and a median home price of $799,000, continues to push many Native Hawaiians to the margins. With 29,000 families still waiting on DHHL’s list, the time for action is now. By supporting increased funding for Hawaiian Homes, we can help create lasting solutions that keep our lāhui rooted in our homeland.
We invite you to connect with us by sharing your contact information. Stay informed about our campaign, upcoming calls to action, and ways to advocate for Native Hawaiian housing. Together, we can make a difference. Mahalo!