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Trustees approve due-diligence phase 2 for multiple land-transfer proposals to OHA; one item recessed
Summary
The OHA Board approved a series of motions directing staff to undertake phase 2 due diligence for several proposed land transfers to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, including Mauna Ala Nuku'anu (Oʻahu), Kaneʻolu Maheau Complex (Kōloa, Kaua‘i) and Ahupuaʻa o Kahana (Kahana, Oʻahu). One item on Waimānalo was set for later discussion.
During its Feb. 5, 2024 meeting, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees approved multiple motions authorizing staff to begin phase 2 due-diligence activities for proposed land transfers to OHA and to execute or procure necessary agreements and documents to inform potential transfers.
Trustees approved the following items by roll call during the Investment and Land Management committee portion of the agenda:
- ILM2501: Approval of updated 2024 guidelines to the Native Hawaiian Trust Fund (motion moved by Trustee Souza). Outcome: approved by roll call (9-0).
- ILM2502: Authorize and undertake phase 2 due diligence for a proposed land transfer of Mauna Ala Nuku'anu, Oʻahu, from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to OHA; authorize the CEO to execute or procure documents necessary for due diligence. Outcome: approved by roll call; recorded as 8 yes, 1 abstention.
- ILM2503: Authorize and undertake phase 2 due diligence for a proposed land transfer of the Kaneʻolu Maheau Complex (Kōloa, Kauaʻi) from the County of Kauaʻi to OHA; authorize delegation to OHA administration to carry out actions necessary to implement due diligence. Outcome: approved by roll call (9-0).
- ILM2504: Authorize and undertake phase 2 due diligence for proposed transfer of Ahupuaʻa o Kahana parcels, Kahana, Oʻahu, from DLNR to OHA; authorize the CEO to delegate authority to OHA administration to execute necessary agreements and applications. Outcome: approved by roll call (9-0).
At the start of consideration for ILM2505 (proposed due diligence for Waimānalo), the board took a short recess and deferred further public discussion, noting members of the public were present and matters would be discussed after the break; no final vote on ILM2505 was recorded in the supplied transcript.
Motions were routinely moved by the chair or the committee chair (Trustee Souza read multiple motions). Votes were taken by roll call and recorded by the board—s clerk; individual vote names were called during roll call for each item. For ILM2502 the clerk recorded one abstention; the transcript did not identify the abstaining trustee by full name in the roll-call summary provided.
Each motion authorized staff to —undertake due diligence phase 2 activities— and to "execute and/or procure all necessary agreements, instruments, applications, and other appropriate documents necessary for phase 2 due diligence to inform potential transfer" (motion language repeated across items). Trustees did not debate these items at length on the floor; several items were read and approved with no public testimony or further trustee discussion noted in the transcript.
The board directed staff to proceed with the due-diligence work for the approved items and to report back as appropriate to the Investment and Land Management committee and the full board.
