(BIVN) – Beneficiaries spoke out about the problems plaguing the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands during a community meeting held Monday night in Keaukaha.

The meeting was organized by State Senator Kai Kahele and County Councilwoman Sue Lee Loy, and held in the absence of a DHHL meeting, initially scheduled for this week but cancelled due to last week’s threat from Tropical Storm Olivia. DHHL Commisioner Wally Ishibashi and Puna’s State Representative Joy SanBuenaventura were also in attendance.

Following the showing of the “Broken Promises” film, Sen. Kahele went over DHHL’s State budget before opening the meeting up for public discussion. Speakers talked about the Aina Mauna Solution and the recent notice to remove the Hale Kūhiō set up by the Mauna Kea Access Road. They also spoke of “non-Hawaiians” receiving DHHL lands, wastewater discharges into the nearby Puhi Bay, and ideas to improve the situation for hopeful homesteaders.

The Hawaiian Homes Commission and the DHLL will meet in Pahala this Sunday and in Hilo next week.