Hawaiian Homesteads

Malama ‘Aina is a phrase many use that translates to “take care of the land”. For thousands of years, Hawai’i has been home to many. Whether it’s Oahu, Maui, or the Island of Hawai’i, all islands share a special place in the hearts of over a million people. After its annexation in 1893, many natives lost their land. Decades later in 1921, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands was established to not only give back stolen land but to protect and improve the lives of Native Hawaiians. Over 200,000 acres of land across six Hawaiian islands were allotted to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. However, not all of that land can be used for housing purposes. Those awarded the stolen land must be of 50% Hawaiian blood. The process seems quick, but many have been waitlisted their whole lives. Many have trouble affording the housing they’re given and often complain about the conditions of the house. So the question remains, are people better off buying their own property?

Ke Ali’i took a dive into what’s happening in Hawaiian Homesteads and met up with Tyler, an 18-year-old who’s lived on a Hawaiian Homestead property for a couple of years. According to Tyler, living conditions were fine, and the process his family had to go through in order to achieve his home, was quite easy. Tyler says Hawai’i isn’t thinking of things from a “local point of view” and doing what fits best for the Government. He strongly expresses that the government is treating this issue as a problem rather than an injustice. 

Meanwhile, Ke Ali’i also met Tehya, a lifelong resident of Hawai’i that has heard about the crisis many Hawaiians go through to get their land back. Tyler and Tehya have similar views but she says that “The thought is there, but the delivery isn’t too great”. The process seems somewhat fair, but the fact that some people have to wait their entire lives is absurd. Tehya also argues that “not everyone wants the land”, so what’ll they do to the properties that go unclaimed? After hearing that the living conditions are unbearable for some families Tehya also agrees that the government has it backwards. Families paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to get a property that ends up needing reservations doesn’t sound like a government favor to most.

There’s more to the Department of Hawaiian Lands than meets the eye. Whether it's the lifelong waitlist or the unbearable living conditions within the homes, native Hawaiians all over the island are struggling to find a roof to live under. With the government pushing to make a change along with many other Hawaiians, Hawai’i hopes to do what’s right for its residents.