Hawaiian home land facts for kids

A Hawaiian home land is a special area of land in Hawaii. It's held in trust for Native Hawaiians by the state government. This system was created by a law called the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1921. It's meant to help Native Hawaiians connect with their traditional lands.

History of Hawaiian Home Lands

The idea for Hawaiian Home Lands started after the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893. This was when the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown. In 1894, a person named William Alexander suggested a plan. He said that President Dole of the Republic of Hawaii wanted to give Native Hawaiians special land. This land would be for homes and could not be sold.

The Hawaiian Homes Commission Act

In 1921, the federal government of the United States set aside about 200,000 acres (about 809 square kilometers) of land. This land was in the Territory of Hawaii at the time. It was meant to be a land trust for homesteading by Native Hawaiians. Homesteading means living on and farming land given by the government.

The law that created this was passed by the U.S. Congress on July 9, 1921. It was called the "Hawaiian Homes Commission Act" (HHCA). This act is still in use today, with some changes. Its main goal was to help Native Hawaiians. It aimed to bring them back to the land. This would help them keep their traditional ties and culture. Hawaiian leaders who supported the act spoke about how the Hawaiian population had decreased. They also talked about the loss of land. They wanted Hawaiians to be able to grow traditional crops like kalo (which is also known as taro).

Defining "Native Hawaiian"

The Hawaiian Homes Commission Act had a specific definition for "Native Hawaiians." It said they were people with 50% or more Hawaiian blood. However, Prince Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, who represented Hawaii in Congress, wanted a different rule. He thought the "blood quantum" (the amount of Hawaiian ancestry) should be no less than 1/32.

Who Manages the Lands?

The responsibility for managing this land trust has changed over time:

• From 1921 to 1960, a federal agency called the Hawaiian Homes Commission managed it.
• From 1960 to today, a state agency called the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) manages it.

This change happened after Hawaii became a state in 1959. Even though it's now managed by the state, the U.S. federal government still watches over it. The federal government is the only one that can sue if the trust is not managed correctly.

Purpose of Hawaiian Home Lands

The Hawaiian Homes Commission Act has clear goals for the Hawaiian Homelands program. These goals are explained in Section 101 of the Act.

The main purpose is to help Native Hawaiians return to their lands. This helps them become self-sufficient (able to support themselves). It also helps them have a say in how the Act is managed. The Act also aims to protect the values, traditions, and culture of Native Hawaiians.

Key Goals of the Act

The main purposes of this Act include:

• Creating a permanent land base: This means setting aside land for Native Hawaiians to live on. They can also farm, ranch, or do other activities on this land.
• Placing Hawaiians on land quickly: The Act wants to make sure Native Hawaiians get onto these lands efficiently. It also wants to make sure they can stay there for a long time.
• Keeping the land in trust forever: The Act prevents the land from being sold. This way, it will always be held in trust for Native Hawaiians to use.
• Providing water and support: The Act ensures that there is enough water and important services like roads. This makes sure the homestead lands are always useful and easy to reach.
• Offering financial and technical help: The Act provides money and expert advice to Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. This helps them become economically strong. It also helps build strong communities. This way, the traditions, culture, and quality of life for Native Hawaiians can last forever.

A Special Trust

The United States and the State of Hawaii recognize this Act as a very serious trust. They understand the historical connection between the United States and the Kingdom of Hawaii. Both governments promise to manage this Act fairly. They have a "fiduciary duty," which means a legal and ethical responsibility to act in the best interest of the Native Hawaiian beneficiaries.

Protecting Other Rights

This Act does not stop the descendants of the original citizens of the Kingdom of Hawaii from seeking justice. This includes addressing any unfair actions related to the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii. It also does not change the duties of the United States and the State of Hawaii. They must continue to fulfill their public trust responsibilities to Native Hawaiians.

Hawaiian Homelands Locations