Leaders and advocates in Hawaii are voicing strong opposition to a renewed proposal by President Donald Trump to eliminate federal funding for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, a move they say would negatively impact Native Hawaiian communities.
The proposal follows a similar effort last year that ultimately failed, allowing the agency to secure more than $22 million in federal support to address a backlog of over 29,000 beneficiaries awaiting housing assistance.
State lawmakers argue that the funding is essential for addressing longstanding housing inequities and supporting Indigenous communities across the islands.
“It’s not like we’re seeing benefits to the community that are flowing from, you know, money saved from those cuts. Those monies are going to fuel wars around the world. For a lot of Native Hawaiians, I think, probably just another chapter of a long story of getting screwed over time,” said Jarrett Keohokalole.
The proposal is rooted in the administration’s argument that Native Hawaiians should not receive funding under federal Native American housing programs because they are classified as a racial group rather than a federally recognized tribal nation.
Local leaders strongly dispute that reasoning, saying it ignores the historical and legal context of Native Hawaiian rights.
“So obviously, we can see with this administration that they are not friendly to Native Hawaiian causes and the Native Hawaiian community at large,” said Kanani Souza. “We can see that through policy since this administration has been in office.”
The issue comes amid broader legal challenges involving Native Hawaiian programs, including lawsuits targeting educational and health initiatives that prioritize Native Hawaiian beneficiaries.
Advocates warn that these actions could have far-reaching consequences for programs designed to address disparities in housing, education and healthcare.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the proposal’s future, community leaders are encouraging residents to stay engaged and advocate for continued funding.
“So it’s definitely more concerning than what we’ve seen in previous years. But I think, you know, it’s great that we have the strong support of our federal delegation,” said Jacob Aki.
Others are calling for increased civic participation as a means of protecting programs that serve Native Hawaiian communities.
“We don’t need to be angry, we need to be active. You know, we need not put our fist in the air. We need to pick up the pen and vote,” said Robin Danner. “We need to write to our elected leaders and explain the history of Native Hawaiians and the Indigenous people and the fact that we’re in the United States Constitution.”
As discussions continue, the proposal highlights ongoing tensions over federal policy, Indigenous rights and housing equity, with stakeholders closely watching whether lawmakers will once again block the funding cut.
Originally reported by Aalii Dukelow in Hawaii News Now.
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