STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1373

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 268

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 268, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ISLAND BURIAL COUNCILS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Reduce the number of members on an Island Burial Council from nine to seven; and

(2) Remove the requirement that Island Burial Councils include members with development and large property owner interests.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Kahua O Kakou; Hui Humuʻula Kalaʻiʻeha LLC; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Center for Hawaiian Sovereignty Studies; Huliauapa‘a; Nohopapa Hawai‘i LLC; Hui Iwi Kuamoʻo; and nine individuals.

Your Committee finds that Island Burial Councils play a critical role in preserving iwi kupuna and upholding Native Hawaiian burial practices. Your Committee further finds that although regional representatives of Island Burial Councils must have an understanding of Native Hawaiian culture, history, and burial beliefs, there is no similar requirement for landowner and developer representatives. Your Committee believes that removing the requirement that Island Burial Councils include members with development and large property owner interests will ensure the councils fully align with Native Hawaiian values and customs and focus on the care and protection of iwi kupuna.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 268, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 268, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair