The OHA Public Land Trust (PLT) meeting held on November 20, 2024, focused on critical funding issues and legislative preparations for the upcoming year. The meeting began with discussions surrounding the previous year's challenges in securing financial support for initiatives benefiting Native Hawaiians. A member expressed frustration over the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) not prioritizing the PLT's funding requests, despite a unanimous vote from the working group to support the bill.

The conversation highlighted the need for the governor to include a $1 million allocation in his budget, emphasizing that this amount is a small fraction of the overall $15 billion budget. The speaker argued that Native Hawaiians deserve priority in funding, given their ongoing wait for essential support.

As the meeting progressed, members reviewed proposed changes to legislative documents. One member acknowledged the improvements made to the documents, which were now deemed more professional and ready for presentation to the legislature. The group discussed the importance of addressing non-controversial changes first, reserving more contentious topics for later in the meeting.

Technical difficulties arose as members attempted to share screens to review the proposed changes, but they remained focused on ensuring that the legislative reports were prepared adequately. The meeting underscored the urgency of advancing the PLT's agenda and the commitment of its members to advocate for the needs of Native Hawaiians in the legislative process.

In conclusion, the meeting served as a platform for addressing past challenges and strategizing for future legislative efforts, with a clear call for prioritizing Native Hawaiian issues in state funding discussions.