Understanding Long-Term Ground Leases in Hawaii

What rights do long-term ground leases grant in Hawaii?

Long-term ground leases in Hawaii essentially provide usufruct rights to the lessees. What does this mean?

Long-term ground leases in Hawaii grant usufruct rights to lessees, allowing them to use and profit from the land without owning it outright. Usufruct rights give the lessees the right to enjoy the benefits of the land, such as growing crops or constructing buildings, but they do not have full ownership of the land itself.

This concept is tied to Hawaii's historical context and the protection of indigenous Hawaiian land ownership. By granting usufruct rights instead of absolute ownership, the state aims to prevent the privatization of land and ensure that it remains accessible to the local community.