(BIVN) – The Hawaiian Homes Commission kicked off its annual meeting in Hilo on Monday, hearing lengthy testimony from beneficiaries inside a Grand Naniloa Hotel conference room.

Commissioners heard a wide variety of community concerns, starting with access to Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ hunting grounds.

Emotional testimony from Kalaniakea Wilson focused on the continuity of the Hawaiian Kingdom and the ʻĀina Mauna Solution.

Hawaiʻi County Councilwoman Sue Lee Loy was in attendance. She addressed the Hawaiian Homes Commission, talking about county efforts to accelerate housing in order to help those displaced by the eruption of Kīlauea Volcano.

Patrick Kahawaiolaʻa, president of the Keaukaha Community Association, testified on a number of issues in the homestead.

After hearing from beneficiaries, the Hawaiian Homes Commission took up a lengthy agenda. A community meeting was also held in Keaukaha on Monday evening.