$200M Ceded Lands Settlement Heads to Governor’s Desk

Governor Abercrombie and Attorney General David Louie Provide Testimony on SB2783 OHA Kakaako Settlement. File photo courtesy, State of Hawaii, Office of the Governor.

By Wendy Osher

A $200 million settlement proposal between the State of Hawai’i and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs now heads to the governor for his signature.

“This is an historic day for the State of Hawaii, as many have waited decades for a resolution to this issue regarding ceded lands,” said Senate President Shan Tsutsui in a statement today after the Senate bill passed out of the House.

Senate Bill 2783, relating to public trust lands, would convey 10 parcels of land at Kaka‘ako Makai to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.  The parcels are near Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park, and include Fisherman’s Wharf.

The settlement represents a compromise over longstanding claims for past due revenues owed to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

“The passage of this landmark legislation is a major step in the right direction for the native Hawaiian community and Hawaii as it brings closure to a long-standing dispute,” said Sen. Brickwood Galuteria, chairperson for the Senate Committee on Hawaiian Affairs.

If the measure is approved by the governor, all disputes and controversies relating to OHA’s portion of income and proceeds from the public trust lands will be extinguished and discharged as well as bar all claims, suits, and actions for the period from November 7, 1978 to June 30, 2012.