2022 Legislative Session



A Historic Year For Native Hawaiians


Decades from now, we will look back on the 2022 Legislative Session as a watershed year for Native Hawaiians. With more than a billion dollars approved for Native Hawaiian programs – the most the State of Hawaiʻi has ever provided to Native Hawaiians in a single year – this is the kind of funding that will result in generational and systemic change for our people. Moreover, the Legislature was able to pass a bill that will dramatically improve the state’s management of Maunakea, which has been one of the most pressing issues for our people for decades.


- J. Kūhiō Lewis, CNHA CEO

CNHA is honored to have advocated at the legislature during this historic year, which yielded the following legislative successes for Native Hawaiians:

  1. HB2511 - $600 million to DHHL to pursue a multi-pronged approach to eliminating its waitlist.

  2. HB3041 - $335 million to settle the Kalima lawsuit.

  3. SB2021 - $64 million to the office of Hawaiian affairs for a portion of the income and proceeds from the public land trust.

  4. HB2024 - $14 million for the startup and transition planning costs for the Mauna Kea Stewardship and oversight authority. Appropriates $350,000 for K-12 public education programs in astronomy-related fields of learning.

  5. SB3357 - A CNHA initiative providing $2 million in grants to improve Native Hawaiian economic well being and culture.

  6. HB1600 - State Budget Act, includes the following:

7. $10 million for planning and development for DHHL homesteads.

8. $2 million to support the mission of ʻlolani Palace.

9. $10 million for capital improvements to Bishop Museum.

10. $7.5 million to support programming and operations of the Bishop Museum.

11. $38 million to address staffing, recruitment, training, and provide Hawaiian language immersion for students. Also includes funds for classroom renovations.

12. $2.9 million and fourteen positions for the ʻImi Loa Immersion Program at UH Hilo

13. $117,019 for the Papahana o Kaiona Alternative Learning Program, which provides integrated traditional and culture education programs.

14. $400,000 for operating expenses for the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve.

15. $200,000 to support the ʻAha Moku Advisory Committee.

  1. HB1894 - Facilitates traditional Native Hawaiian burial practices by including water cremation in the treatment and disposal of human remains.

  2. HB1768 - Removes some of the hurdles for Mahiʻai to obtain water for traditional and customary kalo cultivation.

  3. HB2466 - Taro cultivation tax exemption.

  4. HR130 - Apologizing to the Native Hawaiian people for prohibiting the use of Hawaiian language in Hawaiʻi schools from 1896 to 1986.

  5. SCR121 - Urging the counties and the state to work with Huamakahikina and kumu hula to establish policies protecting hula.

  6. Grant-In-Aid Recipients: (*indicates CNHA members)

22. Hālau Keʻalaokamaile, $881,600 - To construct a Cultural Resource Training Center in Piʻiholo, Makawao, Maui, to create a permanent physical home for the community to learn, honor, and embody the legacy of Hawaiian knowledge.

23. Homestead Community Development Corp., $200,000 - To fund the installation of solar voltaic panels on its certified kitchen in Anahola, Kauaʻi, which serves Kauaʻi business owners in the production of food products that comply with state health requirements.

24. *Honolulu Habitat for Humanity, $250,000 - To build a four-bedroom, ADA compliant transitional home to accommodate partner families while their permanent homes are being constructed or renovated.

25. *IHS, The Institute for Human Services, Inc., $1.6 Million - To ensure the successful launch of its Homeless Triage and Transfer Program, which will provide temporary respite and care for Oʻahu’s most vulnerable, unsheltered homeless adults as they transition to appropriate shelter, care, and housing programming.

26. *IHS, The Institute for Human Services, Inc., $350,000 - For IT systems upgrades, as well as the purchase of safe furniture and fixtures for its Homeless Triage and Transfer Program.

27. *Kumano i ke Ala o Makaweli, $200,000 - To develop a master plan to maximize use of 22 acres of agricultural land in Waimea and Makaweli, Kauaʻi, for kalo and other food production, as well as education programs centered on traditional agriculture and cultural education for West Kauaʻi youth.

28. *Makana O Ke Akua Inc., $250,000 - To support its mission of providing clean and sober transitional living for men in recovery on Oʻahu.

29. *Nā Kama Kai, $259,000 - To design, develop, and implement an Ocean Safety teacher professional development course for teachers in the Department of Education to increase ocean safety awareness and to reduce drownings across the state.

30. Paʻa Pono Miloliʻi, $130,850 - To cover the first year of operating expenses for the Miloliʻi Community Enrichment and Historical Center, which will address the community’s needs through educational and recreational programming for youth and adults, as well as providing a permanent covered community center that can serve as a gathering space, historical library, and certified kitchen.

31. *Partners in Development Foundation, $300,000 - To support the Kupa ʻĀina Natural Farming Project, located at the Kawailoa Youth and Family Wellness Center in Kailua, Oʻahu, which seeks to create a path towards sustainable natural farming, reconnecting with traditional Hawaiian practices, rehabilitate youth, and educate the community.

32. ʻUhane Pōhaku Nā Moku O Hawaiʻi, Inc., $220,000 - To provide programming in agriculture, fishing, and traditional hale building, for at-risk youth in Kaʻu to build skills and self-esteem, connect with community, and inspire them to share their attained knowledge with others.

33. *Ulu Aʻe Learning Center, $149,000 - To provide children in the Kapolei and ʻEwa regions of Oʻahu with culturally grounded, out-of-school opportunities including daily access to tutoring and help with homework, cultural programming to increase knowledge and skills in Hawaiian practices, and land stewardship at historic and significant sites within their community.

34. Waiʻanae Community Redevelopment Corporation, $325,000 - To support the mission of MAʻO Organic Farms through the purchase of two automated produce wash lines that will increase the volume of fresh produce supplied to the community and serve as a workforce training vehicle for MAʻO interns and mahiʻai.

35. Waiʻanae Economic Development Council, $315,000 - To expand business development services on the Waianae Coast by extending services and support to low and moderate income business owners, and adding services to incubate and support emerging businesses.

36. Waiohuli Hawaiian Homesteaders Association, Inc., $170,000 - To create, implement and manage a master economic development plan; and To establish custom-fit economic development training programs to promote jobs and small business opportunities derived from developing a master planned community on Hawaiian Homelands.

TOTAL: $1,091,717,469