An organization claiming to represent 7,000 Hawaiian homestead families statewide issued a statement today opposing House Bill 266 HD2 regarding the ceded lands agreement between Gov. Linda Lingle and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

In a news release, the Sovereign Councils of the Hawaiian Homelands Assembly, formerly known as the State Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations, stated, "We recommend that in the interest of transparency, the Legislature require OHA and Gov. Lingle release and make public the basis of the amounts contained in the Lingle/OHA agreement."

Kamaki Kanahele, SCHHA chairman, added:

"Until the egregious wrongs of the past are made 'pono,' any settlement terms must be strengthened to ensure that a portion of the settlement funds are directed to the Hawaiian Home Land Trust and the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act beneficiaries, in accordance with the law."

SCHHA, which claims a tie to 24 Hawaiian homestead associations, also opposes the agreement noting it lacks a ceded lands inventory and revenue report, and an unacceptable list of waivers were approved by the governor and OHA.