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Writer's pictureHawaiʻi State Senate
Apr 19, 2020

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands: COVID-19 Updates


The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is closely monitoring the latest developments regarding the COVID-19 virus and is in communication with the Governor’s Office and the State Department of Health. Please find pertinent details about DHHL activities and information for beneficiaries below.


DHHL OFFICE CLOSURES

  • All DHHL offices (including the Department’s main Kapolei, O`ahu office and all district offices) are closed to the public through April 30, 2020. 

  • The public should anticipate delays on all services including, but not limited to, home sales, transfers, successorships, and billing.


DHHL DIRECT LOAN PAYMENTS

The action is an opportunity for beneficiaries with direct loans and loans assigned to DHHL to defer mortgage payments for a period of six months, effective with the April 2020 payment.



How does it work?


  • If you have a loan directly with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, you may defer your loan payment(s) for up to six months under the recent Hawaiian Homes Commission action.

  • Loans qualified under the deferment include DHHL Direct Loans or loans assigned to DHHL (an easy way to know if you qualify is if you write a check payable to DHHL for your loan).

  • There is no application process to enroll in the deferment period. All qualified loans will automatically be deferred, beginning with the April 2020 payment.

  • Qualified lessees may choose to defer fewer than six months of payments depending on their financial relief needs.

  • The Department urges anyone able to make loan payments to continue to do so. Lessees are not required to use the deferral. Those who are able to continue to make regularly scheduled payment(s) are highly encouraged to do so by continuing to make their payment(s) as usual. Borrowers will continue to receive monthly statements from DHHL.


Additional notes: 


  • Deferred loan payments are not forgiven. Deferred payments will be moved to the end of the loan and the full balance of the loan is still payable.

  • If your mortgage is with a private lender and you are experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 outbreak, please contact your lender as soon as possible.

    • Private lender loans could include but are not limited to HomeStreet Bank, Bank of Hawaii, VA, or a local Credit Union.

    • The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides relief for homeowners with government-guaranteed mortgages.  Homeowners with mortgages backed by the FHA, USDA, VA, HUD Section 184a, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac are eligible for loan forbearance for up to one year without fees, penalties, or additional interest. Click here for additional information.


Need More Information?

  • Call (808) 620-9500 to be connected with a DHHL loan officer.


OTHER PAYMENTS (GENERAL LEASES, RIGHTS OF ENTRY, WATER BILLS, ETC.)


  • All DHHL offices are closed and walk-in payment options are currently unavailable.

    • All payments should be mailed to P.O. Box 1721, Honolulu, HI 96806.

      •  Only checks, cashier’s checks, or money orders will be accepted.

  • General Lease tenants and Right of Entry tenants are asked to continue to make their regular payments, including water payments.


DHHL MEETINGS


FACILITY RESERVATIONS

  • Reservations of DHHL facilities through April 30, 2020 have been canceled.  

  • No additional reservations will be accepted until further notice.

  • Reservations that have been canceled will be refunded.


TRAVEL

  • Governor David Ige has banned all non-essential travel for state workers, including work related trips to the neighbor islands.


COMMUNITY

  • Community concerns or issues of lawlessness on homesteads should be directed to local law enforcement.


PUBLIC NOTICE

OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT COVID-19 RESOURCES

For the latest official information about COVID-19 and related resources click below:



ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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