Photo from Saturday’s agricultural lot awards in Keaukaha, courtesy DHHL.

(BIVN) – Nearly 200 Hawaiian Homes beneficiaries celebrated the award of 68 agricultural lots on Hawaiʻi Island during a Saturday event held at Keaukaha Elementary School.

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands said the awards marked the largest agricultural lot offering by the DHHL since the late-1980’s. 

The homestead lots, located in Honomū and Makuʻu, range in size from one to five acres. 

16 one-acre subsistence agricultural lots were offered in Honomū.

In Makuʻu, 20 five-acre agricultural lots and 32 two-acre subsistence agricultural lots were offered. 

“ʻOhana are built on the ʻāina and it is the department’s commitment to keeping our families in Hawaiʻi and on the land,” said DHHL Director Kali Watson. “It is DHHL’s goal to offer diverse homesteading options and these agricultural lots serve as solutions to addressing the waitlist.” 

Left to right: Representative Darius Kila, Senator Kurt Fevella, Oʻahu Commissioner Sanoe Marfil, DHHL beneficiary Gabriel Kealoha, DHHL Director Kali Watson, East Hawaiʻi Commissioner Michael Kaleikini (courtesy DHHL)

From the DHHL news release:

Subsistence-ag lots are less than three acres in size and near existing infrastructure. This homestead model allows beneficiaries to live and grow food on their lots for home consumption or small-scale economic agricultural activity.

Beneficiaries who opt to grow produce and other crops commercially must create a farm plan, like a business plan, as part of their lease, and lessees must cultivate at least two-thirds of the land.

With both lot types, beneficiaries have the option of constructing a single-family home or supplemental dwelling unit.

“This momentous occasion marks an exciting milestone for DHHL beneficiaries, providing not only the opportunity to build homes but also to cultivate a future grounded in food sovereignty and self-sustainability,” Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke said in a statement.

Photo from Saturday’s agricultural lot awards in Keaukaha, courtesy DHHL.

An additional 40 subsistence agricultural lots are slated for development in Honomū within the next two years. More than 1,600 lots are planned for various homesteads across Hawaiʻi Island including Laʻi ʻŌpua, Kaumana, Honokaʻa, Palamanui and Panaʻewa.