KAPOLEI — The Hawaiian Homes Commission (HHC) last week released its 2021 meeting schedule.

Due to COVID-19, the commission plans to hold virtual meetings consistent with Gov. David Ige’s current Emergency Supplementary Proclamation.

Hawaiian Homes Commission meetings are generally held on the third Monday and Tuesday of each month, except for January and February when the meetings are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday due to a Monday holiday.

Meetings begin at 9:30 a.m.; the 2021 schedule is: Jan. 19 and 20; Feb. 16-17; March 15-16; April 19-20; May 17-18; June 21-22; July 19-20; Aug. 16-17; Sept. 20-21; Oct. 18-19; Nov. 15-16; and Dec. 20-21.

The meeting agenda, packets with submittal information and other relevant HHC meeting information can be found on the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ (DHHL) website, dhhl.hawaii.gov/hhc.

“We, like the rest of our community, have adapted to the changes caused by the ongoing pandemic,” said Hawaiian Homes Commission Chairman William J. Aila Jr.

“While the commission looks forward to meeting with beneficiaries in person and visiting those on the Neighbor Islands, the current COVID-19 environment doesn’t allow for that. If and when COVID-19 allows us to convert to in-person meetings with enough advance notice, we will use the flexibility to decide to resume meeting in person,” he continued.

“For the time being, we have been live-streaming the HHC meetings for several months and invite our beneficiaries to continue to join us online during the 2021 calendar year as we progress forward in our crucial mission.”

Prior to the pandemic, HHC met at least once annually on Hawaii Island, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kauai. If there are changes in COVID-19 restrictions, the commission may update its meeting schedule.

Hawaiian Homes Commission community meetings are currently halted. Beneficiaries are invited to subscribe to DHHL’s digital monthly newsletter, Ka Nuhou Uila, and follow the department on its social media channels for the most up to date information.

To sign-up for monthly e-mails, visit dhhl.hawaii.gov/ka-nuhou-uila.

Live-stream Hawaiian Homes Commission meetings are viewable via the DHHL website at dhhl.hawaii.gov/live. Past meetings are also accessible through archived links at the bottom of the same page.

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands carries out Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana’ole’s vision of rehabilitating Native Hawaiians by returning them to the land.

Established by U.S. Congress in 1921 with the passage of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, the Hawaiian homesteading program run by DHHL includes management of over 200,000 acres of land statewide with the specific purpose of developing and delivering homesteading.