Urging Hawaii's Congressional Delegation To Re-introduce And Support The Passage Of The Hawaiian Home Lands Preservation Act, H.r. Res. 9614, 117th Cong. (2nd Sess. 2022), To Lower The Required Minimum Blood Quantum For Certain Department Of Hawaiian Home Lands Successor Lessee Beneficiaries From One-quarter Native Hawaiian Blood To One Thirty-second.
The modification of the blood quantum requirement could significantly increase the number of beneficiaries eligible for homesteading opportunities under the DHHL. Currently, there are approximately 28,700 individuals on the waitlist for residential, agricultural, or pastoral leases. By establishing a lower blood quantum threshold, it is anticipated that the number of applicants could rise, supporting the original intent of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, which aimed to rehabilitate native Hawaiian peoples through a government-led homesteading program.
SCR104 urges Hawaii's congressional delegation to reintroduce and support the passage of the Hawaiian Home Lands Preservation Act, which seeks to amend the blood quantum requirement for certain Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) successor lessee beneficiaries. Currently, individuals must prove a minimum blood quantum of one-quarter native Hawaiian blood to qualify for these leases. The resolution aims to reduce this requirement to one thirty-second, thus expanding access to potential lessees who are predominantly of Hawaiian descent but fall short of the current requirement due to factors such as interracial marriages.
The sentiment around SCR104 is generally supportive, especially among advocates for native Hawaiian rights and those concerned with the growing waitlist for leases. Supporters argue that lowering the blood quantum aligns with contemporary societal changes and ensures that the benefits of the Hawaiian Home Lands program reach a broader segment of native Hawaiians. Furthermore, the resolution's intent resonates with the established precedent set by previous legislative actions that aimed to accommodate changing demographics.
While the sentiment is positive among many advocates, there are potential points of contention regarding the artificial nature of blood quantum requirements. Critics may argue that any change could dilute the concept of native Hawaiian identity and heritage. Thus, although the resolution has gained momentum, discussions surrounding the implications of changing blood quantum requirements may prompt objections based on cultural preservation and the essence of what constitutes 'native Hawaiian' status.