5 Things to Know About Native Hawaiian Rights in 2025

Editorial: DHHL must prove worthy of federal grants | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Announcements of intended cuts to federal programs, grants and funding have been issued so rapidly that it’s hard to simply keep track, much less fight back against each hatchet blow. Unfortunately, the fight may be even tougher for the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grants (NHHBG), because Hawaii and the grant program’s sole beneficiary, the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL), have been too lax at planning for and using grant funds a…

5 things to know about Native Hawaiian rights in 2025

HONOLULU (KHON2) -- In early 2025, new executive orders from Washington, D.C. put Native Hawaiian programs under a shadow of fear. What looked like a wave of federal changes against diversity, equity and inclusion sparked confusion and concern across Hawai‘i. For many, the worry was simple but heavy: Would the federal government still recognize its obligations to Native Hawaiians? DOGE cuts hit Native Hawaiian programs That fear reached cl…

Federal funding for Hawaiian Home Lands on chopping block

The state agency helping Native Hawaiians with housing needs is at risk again of a federal funding cutoff. President Donald Trump is proposing to eliminate the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant program as part of a rough budget plan for the next federal fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 In a May 2 letter from Trump’s Office of Management and Budget to the chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, OMB Director Russell Vought indicated that th…