Hawaii House Bill HB2450

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/28/26
• Refer: 2/2/26

Caption

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.

Summary

HB2450 requires the State Auditor to conduct a financial and performance audit of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL). The audit must examine DHHL’s use of the $600 million appropriated under Act 279, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, as well as all other funds received by the department. It also must include an inventory of lands and units held by DHHL, a review of current developments, a summary of planned future developments, and an accounting of revenue generated by the department and its projects. The bill is framed as an oversight measure intended to assess whether the Act 279 funds and other DHHL resources are being used efficiently and effectively to benefit as many Native Hawaiian families as possible. The Auditor must report findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the 2027 regular session. The bill takes effect upon approval.

Impact

If enacted, HB2450 would add a new statutory mandate directing the State Auditor to review DHHL’s finances, assets, development pipeline, and revenue streams. It would not directly change DHHL eligibility rules or land-disposition law, but it would create a formal oversight mechanism tied to Act 279’s large appropriation and could lead to future legislative changes based on the audit’s findings. The principal affected parties would be DHHL, the State Auditor, the Legislature, and applicants on the DHHL waiting list who are the intended beneficiaries of the appropriated funds.

Sentiment

The available context suggests generally supportive or neutral sentiment, with the bill presented as a good-government and accountability measure rather than a controversial policy change. There were no recorded committee transcripts or votes indicating opposition or amendments in the provided materials. The bill’s framing emphasizes transparency, efficiency, and maximizing benefits for families on the waiting list, which typically signals broad legislative interest in oversight.

Contention

The main point of contention implied by the bill is whether additional external oversight of DHHL is necessary, especially given that the department already provides annual reports on expenditures and waiting-list counts under Act 279. Supporters appear to believe the scale of the $600 million appropriation justifies a deeper audit, while any skepticism would likely center on audit cost, administrative burden, or whether the department’s existing reporting is sufficient. No specific opposing arguments or named opponents appear in the provided record.