On December 4, 2025, Summer Sylva, Administrator and CEO of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), released a statement in Honolulu regarding the Governor of Hawaiʻi’s recent actions on military leased lands. Sylva responded to a letter the Governor sent to Secretary Driscoll. She noted that the Governor did not consult the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Military Leased Lands before sending the letter. This committee includes many Native Hawaiian leaders, including Sylva.
Sylva stated that the advisory committee was created to include Native Hawaiian perspectives in decisions about their lands. She said the Governor’s decision to act without consultation undermines the advisory process. Sylva also pointed out that this approach does not align with previous commitments to transparency and partnership.
The statement raised concerns about the Governor’s support for a previously negotiated community benefits package. Sylva noted that this package was agreed upon without full community input, while legislative efforts are still ongoing. She said these efforts aim to ensure Native Hawaiian voices are included in decisions about Kingdom and Crown lands…