Image courtesy of Forest and Kim Starr
More than 360 acres of land in Hoʻolehua and Pālāʻau on Molokai formerly leased to the U.S. Navy was returned to the state Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) after the lease expired on Dec. 31. DHHL was established to deliver land to Native Hawaiians for housing, farming, ranching, and community uses.
“This day is long overdue for the beneficiaries and residents of Moloka‘i,” said recently inaugurated Gov. Josh Green. “We are honored to accept the return of these lands on behalf of our Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. Our commitment to ensuring Native Hawaiians can continue to build their capacity through access to more land remains steadfast in this administration.”
Added Sen. Lynn DeCoite of Molokai, “I am pleased that this land is being returned to DHHL to benefit beneficiaries and homesteaders on the Friendly Isle. The repurposing of [military] facilities as critical emergency infrastructure for Molokai’s people will increase the resiliency of our community.”
