HAPUNA – The Hawaiian Homes Commission is meeting in West Hawaii today and tomorrow at the Hāpuna Beach Prince Hotel (May 18 and 19).

The formal meeting takes place at 10 a.m. Monday morning at the Hau & Lehua Conference Rooms. Later that evening, the commission will meet with the West Hawai‘i Homestead Communities starting at 6 p.m. (flyer below). A second formal meeting takes place on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. at the same location, although the commission will recess at 10 a.m for contested case hearings, which are closed to the public, and will reconvene at noon.

On Monday’s agenda is decision making on approval of the Department of Hawaii Home Lands’ Housing and Land Use “Munition and Explosives of Concern (MEC) Policy” and an informational update on the United States Department of the Interior Proposed Rules 43 C.F.R. parts 47 & 48. On May 8th, DHHL stated it did not yet have an opportunity to fully review the proposed rules and evaluate the potential impacts to the department and its beneficiaries.

We will be discussing this with the Hawaiian Homes Commission and look forward to participating in the rulemaking process to provide our feedback to DOI. We are hopeful that the ultimate outcome is clarity in the relationship between DOI and DHHL.DHHL media release, May 8

On Tuesday, the commission will vote on a few Waimea related planning measures, including a declaration of a Finding of No Significant Impact for Final Environmental Assessment (FEA) for the Waimea Nui Regional Community Development Initiative.

courtesy DHHL website.