HONOLULU (KHON2) — Members of the Hawaiʻi House of Representative Native Hawaiian Affairs Caucus presented their 2025 Legislative Package on Jan. 24, which was made up of four priority bills aimed at representing and advocating for the needs of the Native Hawaiian community.

“We come together as a Caucus with the shared goal of uplifting lahui and uniting on issues where we can find common ground,” said Native Hawaiian Caucus Chair Rep. Daniel Holt. “This year’s bill package reflects our commitment to honoring past responsibilities while addressing new challenges to protect our Native Hawaiian culture and identity.”

The House Native Hawaiian Affairs Caucus is a bipartisan caucus made up of 13 State Representatives with Hawaiian ancestry, composed of nine Democrats and four Republicans.

Their slate of bills for the upcoming legislative session include:

HB603 — Relating to Native Hawaiian Business Marketing

This bill would require the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to administer and oversee a Native Hawaiian Marketing Program to promote businesses owned by Native Hawaiians through marketing and technical assistance.

“This concept draws inspiration from the American Indian Foods program, established by the Intertribal Agricultural Council in 1998. AIF was created to help American Indian food businesses showcase their products while protecting producers and consumers from falsely labeled ‘Indian-made’ goods,” said Rep. Darius K. Kila. “This initiative closely aligns with the efforts of the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group. Our identity is our brand, and our brand is our identity. It must be protected accordingly.”

HB604 — Relating to Tax Revenues

This bill would increase transient accommodations tax rates by one percent, starting Jan. 1, 2026. The revenue would then be deposited into the Hawaiian Home General Loan Fund established under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, as amended.

HB605 — Relating to Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority (Kakaʻako Makai)

HB605 would allow the HCDA to approve residential development on certain parcels of land in the Kakaʻako Makai area, and would raise the building height limit on certain parcels of the area. It would also require a certain percentage of the residential housing units developed on certain parcels to be allocated to households at or below a particular income level, with priority given to certain local essential workforce.

HB606 — Relating to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

This bill would request an additional $600 million for DHHL. It would also extend the Act 279 Special Funds to June 30, 2028. Funds would be deposited into the special funds, as well as appropriating money out of the special funds for the DHHL to eliminate its waitlist. DHHL would also be required to submit a strategic plan detailing the anticipated uses of the appropriated funds, as well as a required annual report.

“Our priority is ensuring that the $600 million allocated to DHHL is not just used to construct housing units, but to eliminate the waitlist for Hawaiian beneficiaries,” said House Minority Floor Leader Diamond Garcia. “If these units are not issuing leases to those on the waitlist, we’re failing to fulfill the purpose of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. This funding must translate into leases, homes and opportunities for our people– not just buildings.”

The caucus was joined by Hawaiian Homes Commission Chairman Kali Watson, Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees Chair Kaialiʻi Kahele, Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees Vice Chair Keoni Souza and community members.