DHHL Director Kali Watson will not seek reappointment after four-year term ends

Department of Hawaiian Home Lands director and chairperson of the Hawaiian Homes Commission, Kali Watson announces he will not seek reappointment following four-year term.

“Kali Watson came back to public service to get more Native Hawaiian families onto their homelands. He brought urgency to a waitlist that has spanned generations and pushed homestead projects forward across the state,” said Gov. Josh Green. 

Watson previously led the department from 1995 to 1998 where he coordinated the development of more than 3,100 residential lots on Hawaiian Home Lands, as well as legislative funding and approval of the $600 million settlement between the state and DHHL. The latter included the transfer of some 16,518 acres of state land, which made the DHHL trust whole. Under the federal Hawaiian Home Lands Recovery Act of 1995, Watson was instrumental in the transfer of more than 900 acres of federal lands into the trust.

“Governor Green, mahalo for your trust, your support and the opportunity to serve. You understood that behind every name on our waiting list is a person, an ʻohana and a hope that has too often been deferred. Your commitment helped us move that mission forward,” Watson said.

Under Governor Green’s first term, the DHHL offered more than 5,300 leases:

• 2023: 65 
• 2024: 84
• 2025: 2,586
• 2026: 2,570

In 2027, the department projects the offering of nearly 4,900 leases.

“That is some of the most important work we’ve done in our first term and Kali helped make it happen. I’m proud of what we accomplished together and I’m grateful to Kali for putting the families who have waited the longest at the center of that work,” Governor Green said.

In reflecting upon the record number of lease awards, Watson said, “Our administration has offered more than 5,200 Hawaiian homestead leases in just two years — equivalent to more than half of the approximately 10,000 leases offered over the previous 105 years under the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. That’s historic progress toward fulfilling our commitment to Native Hawaiian families.”

During his appointment, Watson successfully launched other groundbreaking initiatives including:

• The awarding of subsistence agricultural lots;
• The development of the department’s first high-rise rental apartment;
• Maui’s first residential homestead in nearly two-decades;
• The awarding of kuleana lots for the first time since 1999;
• And the awarding of program’s first modular homes.

In his announcement, Watson attributed the department’s success to his dedicated staff, “Behind every lease award, every groundbreaking and every family receiving keys are people working through applications, financing, engineering, contracts and countless details. Much of that work happens away from the spotlight. Please know that I see it, appreciate it and recognize the difference you make.”

Through the remainder of his term, Watson will help prepare for a smooth transition in an obligation to carry forward Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole’s vision of returning our people to the land.

“These four years have demanded a great deal, but the opportunity to help our families has made the work deeply meaningful,” said Watson. “I look forward to taking a short break and then returning to my longtime development team — reconnecting with colleagues, getting back to building and exploring new ways to help the lāhui.”

“I will bring to that work a deeper understanding of our families’ needs and the partnerships that can help meet them. I look forward to exploring opportunities with OHA, the Aliʻi Trusts, community organizations and others committed to creating vibrant and thriving homesteading communities, successful farming, ranching, industrial and commercial enterprises. We collectively can and will create a stronger future for our people.”

Watson’s last day as the director of the DHHL and chairperson of the HHC is Thursday, Dec. 31, 2026.