OHA developed four measures for the 2024 Legislative Session on three foundational principles:
The four measures in our Legislative Package are:
1. Amend the Board of Agriculture to include OHA
OHA-1: Includes OHA Board of Trustees Chairperson to the Hawaiʻi Board of Agriculture to address the needs of Native Hawaiians throughout the food system for the overall betterment of conditions of Native Hawaiians.
| HB2145 | Status Text | |
| 1/24/2024 | H | Referred to AGR, JHA, referral sheet 2 |
| 1/22/2024 | H | Introduced and Pass First Reading. |
| 1/19/2024 | H | Pending introduction. |
| SB2447 | Status Text | |
| 2/9/2024 | S | Re-Referred to AEN/JDC. |
| 1/22/2024 | S | Referred to AEN/HWN, JDC. |
| 1/22/2024 | S | Passed First Reading. |
| 1/19/2024 | S | Introduced. |
2. Request OHA to Identify the Scope of Native Hawaiian Cultural Appropriateness to Address Native Hawaiian Disparities
OHA-2: Awaiting resolution number
The State of Hawaiʻi should have a strong Native Hawaiian identity. Native Hawaiian culture and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi should be normalized, instead of exploited and commodified. Hawaiʻi should feel like the homeland of Native Hawaiians and be inviting for all Native Hawaiians to return to.
3. Urge the State to Commit to Providing Culturally Appropriate Resources, Services, and Programs for Native Hawaiian Individuals and Families Experiencing Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD)
OHA-3: Awaiting resolution number
We are asking the Legislature to urge the state government to better address the needs of the I/DD community with a focus on Native Hawaiian cultural pathways for overcoming challenges.
4. For OHA to Report on Strategies for Native Hawaiian Rural Resiliency
OHA-4: Awaiting resolution number
By identifying and addressing the unique needs of each rural community, OHA can assist the state and counties in providing meaningful and effective guidance on this crucial matter of Native Hawaiian self-determination.
As part of its mandate to advocate for Native Hawaiians, each year OHA submits a package of proposed bills to the Hawaii State Legislature, and the agency’s Board of Trustees also votes to take positions on a wide variety of legislation impacting the Hawaiian community.
OHA remains the principal public agency in the state responsible for the performance, development, and coordination of programs and activities relating to Native Hawaiians.
Stay up-to-date on issues and legislation affecting OHA and the Lāhui throughout the 2024 Legislative Session. Continue to check this page for updates on these measures.
To receive alerts about opportunities to testify at upcoming hearings, please fill out the “STAY CONNECTED” form located in the sidebar to the right of this page.
