The Office of Hawaiian Affairs issued a press release on the passage of legislation to transfer 10 parcels of state land in Kakaako to the agency. The bill now heads to the governor for his expected signature.

Statement from OHA Chair Colette Machado:

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees thanks the legislature for quickly passing this historic piece of legislation, just two-thirds of the way through the legislative session. We especially thank Senate President Shan Tsutsui, House Speaker Calvin Say, the chairs of all of the committees that heard the bill and all legislators, especially the Native Hawaiian Caucus. They have all worked hard to get this bill passed.

OHA also gave thanks to Gov. Neil Abercrombie “for championing this cause and making it a priority to resolve this longstanding issue” and a host of other groups including Friends of Kewalos, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and Kamehameha Schools. “It is because of their efforts that we have reached this historic settlement.”