Despite opposition, bill that would allow 99-year leases of public lands poised for approval Despite opposition, bill that would allow 99-year leases of public lands poised for approval By Dillon Ancheta | April 26, 2021 at 3:07 PM HST - Updated April 26 at 5:51 PM HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - Despite strong opposition from the Native Hawaiian community, a measure that opens the door to century-long leases of public lands is poised for passage in the state Legislature. The full state House and Senate are set to vote on the proposal Tuesday. House Bill 499 gives the Board of Land and Natural Resources the authority to extend leases of public lands by 40 years â on top of current 65-year maximum leases.