Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 38, Number 8, 1 August 2021 — Leaders Gather to Commemorate HHCA Centennial [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Leaders Gather to Commemorate HHCA Centennial

< 'O KA NUHOU 'AINA HO'OPULAPULA V 1 HOMESTEAD NEWS *

He ōpū ali'i nō 'oe - You are indeed a benevolent chief, Kūhiō By Cedricūuarte

In commemoration of the Centennial anniversary of the signing of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act (HHCA), the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) hosted a socially distanced ceremony at its Hale Kalaniana'ole Oflice Building in Kapolei on July 9, 2021. The event marked the beginning of the Act's lOOth year. OnJuly 9, 2021, President Warren G. Harding signed the HHCA into law. Its passage amended the Organic Act of 1900 and set aside approximately 203,000 acres of former crown and government lands of the Hawaiian Kingdom for homesteading by Hawaiians of at least half native Hawaiian ancestry. Beneficiaries of the Act are provided a homestead parcel as a 99-year lease for $1 per year. The ceremony, livestreamed on DHHL's website, began with a keynote speech by Professor Davianna Pōmaika'i McGregor. She discussed the heahh condi-

tions of Native Hawaiians in the early part of the 20th century and explained the Act's journey from a grassroots resolution to the halls of Congress, and finally to the President's desk. Government officials, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, who recently heeame the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and Gov. David Ige joined DHHL in honoring the legacy of Prince Kūhiō and aeknowledged recent efforts made to provide increased funding for the homesteading program. Former Hawaiian Homes Commission (HHC) Chairpersons, current members of the HHC, various Homestead Association leaders, as well as representatives from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kamehameha Schools, and the U.S. Department of the Interior - also joined in commemorating the anniversary of the Act's signing. Following remarks by HHC Chair William J. Ailā, Jr., attendees were invited to present ho'okupu. Gifts of lei, fruits, and plants from homesteads throughout the state adorned and surrounded a portrait of Prince Kūhiō. Kalo plants from the grounds of Hale Kalaniana'ole planted and harvested by Chair Ailā, along with fresh water from a source near Prince Kūhiō's birthplace collected by a DHHL Land Agent Kaipo Duncan, the great-grandson of Rudolf Duncan - a member of the first HHC - were presented in tribute. Alongside the Kapolei ceremony, Deputy Tyler Iokepa Gomes spent the day filled with events held in Washington, D.C., to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the Act. His visit included a press conference, a visit to the office occupied by Pinee Kūhiō when he was a delegate, a viewing of the original Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, and meetings with government leaders. DHHL intends to hold a series of events over the

next 12 months highlighting the efforts of the first HHC and the early homesteaders whose success allowed the program to heeome fully instituted. ■ To view a replay ofthe ceremony orfor more information about the Centennial, visit dhhl.hawaii.gov/ hhealOO. Cedric R. Duarte is the Information & Community Relations Officer for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. He has worked in communications and marketing since 1999 and is a longtime event organizer. A product of the Kamehameha Schools and the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, he resides in 'Aiea with his wife and two daughters.

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands celebrated the 100th anniversary of the HHCA at their main office in Kapolei, O'ahu on July 9. - Photos: Courtesy

DHHL Deputy Tyler lokepa Gomes (right) with U.S. Secretary of the lnterior Deb Haaland at a reception in Washington, D.C. Gomes represented DHHL at HHCA commemoration activities on the continent.

Dignitaries from various organizations, as well as from the state government, joined DHHL to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and to honor Prince Jonah Kuhiō Kalaniana'ole who is credited with getting the Act passed through the U.S. Congress in 1921.