HR 118: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO ESTABLISH A COLLABORATIVE WORKING GROUP TO SURVEY, IDENTIFY, AND MONITOR CULTURALLY SENSITIVE SHORELINES IMPACTED BY EROSION.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO ESTABLISH A COLLABORATIVE WORKING GROUP TO SURVEY, IDENTIFY, AND MONITOR CULTURALLY SENSITIVE SHORELINES IMPACTED BY EROSION.

     WHEREAS, the State recognizes the cultural and historical significance of Native Hawaiian burial sites and the need to protect these sacred places; and

     WHEREAS, Native Hawaiian iwi kūpuna were historically interred along sandy shoreline areas, which are now increasingly threatened by coastal erosion; and

     WHEREAS, multiple culturally sensitive shoreline areas across the State, including Lahilahi Beach Park in Waiʻanae, Kaulahao Beach in Hamakuapoko, and the Old Kona Airport Beach Park in Kailua-Kona, have experienced ongoing coastal erosion, resulting in the continuous exposure of iwi kūpuna; and

     WHEREAS, pursuant to section 13-300-2, Hawaii Administrative Rules, iwi exposed due to erosion are classified as inadvertent discoveries; and

     WHEREAS, the appropriate Island Burial Council is the designated entity responsible for the disposition of inadvertently discovered iwi kūpuna; and

     WHEREAS, iwi discovered through shoreline erosion are frequently located within the high-water mark, making it difficult to preserve them in place; and

     WHEREAS, iwi found in shoreline areas also fall within the jurisdiction of the State, complicating quick reinterment efforts within the immediate vicinity due to the need for permission from adjacent property owners; and

     WHEREAS, legislation has been introduced to address the discovery of iwi kūpuna exposed along Hawaii's shorelines due to coastal erosion; and

     WHEREAS, the establishment of an inter-division program to coordinate efforts among state and county agencies is necessary to ensure the successful coordination of efforts in locating, protecting, and restoring Native Hawaiian burial sites and iwi kūpuna affected by coastal erosion; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to establish a collaborative working group to survey, identify, and monitor culturally sensitive shorelines impacted by erosion; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the collaborative working group is requested to include the following members:

     (1)  Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, or the Chairperson's designee;

     (2)  Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, or the Chairperson's designee;

     (3)  Administrator of the Department of Land and Natural Resources' State Historic Preservation Division, or the Administrator's designee;

     (4)  A representative from the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands;

     (5)  A representative of the Island Burial Councils, to be selected by the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources;

     (6)  A representative from the City and County of Honolulu, to be selected by the Mayor;

     (7)  A representative of the County of Hawaii, to be selected by the Mayor;

     (8)  A representative of the County of Maui, to be selected by the Mayor; and

     (9)  A representative of the County of Kauai, to be selected by the Mayor; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the collaborative working group is requested to determine a process to address iwi kūpuna exposed along shorelines, ensuring their protection from adverse impact; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the collaborative working group is requested to assess public lands near culturally sensitive areas were iwi kūpuna were exposed along shorelines to determine locations that may be designated as suitable reinterment sites; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to consider the appropriate methods of funding to support the collaborative working group, including for the construction of secure and culturally appropriate reinterment vaults in areas designated by the collaborative working group to ensure the respectful and permanent protection of iwi kūpuna; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the collaborative working group is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources; Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Administrator of the Department of Land and Natural Resources' State Historic Preservation Division; Administrator of the Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands; and Mayors of the City and County of Honolulu and County of Maui, County of Hawaii, and County of Kauai.

Report Title: 

Department of Land and Natural Resources; Working Group; Shorelines; Erosion

HOUSE RESOLUTION

requesting the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish a collaborative working group to survey, identify, and monitor culturally sensitive shorelines impacted by erosion.

     WHEREAS, the State recognizes the cultural and historical significance of Native Hawaiian burial sites and the need to protect these sacred places; and

     WHEREAS, Native Hawaiian iwi kūpuna were historically interred along sandy shoreline areas, which are now increasingly threatened by coastal erosion; and

     WHEREAS, multiple culturally sensitive shoreline areas across the State, including Lahilahi Beach Park in Waiʻanae, Kaulahao Beach in Hamakuapoko, and the Old Kona Airport Beach Park in Kailua-Kona, have experienced ongoing coastal erosion, resulting in the continuous exposure of iwi kūpuna; and

     WHEREAS, pursuant to section 13-300-2, Hawaii Administrative Rules, iwi exposed due to erosion are classified as inadvertent discoveries; and

     WHEREAS, the State Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources is the designated agency responsible for the disposition of inadvertently discovered iwi kūpuna; and

     WHEREAS, iwi discovered through shoreline erosion are frequently located within the high-water mark, making it difficult to preserve them in place; and

     WHEREAS, iwi found in shoreline areas also fall within the jurisdiction of the State, complicating quick reinterment efforts within the immediate vicinity due to the need for permission from adjacent property owners; and

     WHEREAS, legislation has been introduced to address the discovery of iwi kūpuna exposed along Hawaii's shorelines due to coastal erosion; and

     WHEREAS, the establishment of an inter-division program to coordinate efforts among state and county agencies is necessary to ensure the successful coordination of efforts in locating, protecting, and restoring Native Hawaiian burial sites and iwi kūpuna affected by coastal erosion; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to establish a collaborative working group to survey, identify, and monitor culturally sensitive shorelines impacted by erosion; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the collaborative working group is requested to include the following members:

     (1)  Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, or the Chairperson's designee;

     (2)  Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, or the Chairperson's designee;

     (3)  Administrator of the Department of Land and Natural Resources' State Historic Preservation Division, or the Administrator's designee;

     (4)  A representative of the Island Burial Councils, to be selected by the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources;

     (5)  A representative from the City and County of Honolulu selected by the Mayor;

     (6)  A representative of the County of Hawaii selected by the Mayor;

     (7)  A representative of the County of Maui selected by the Mayor; and

     (8)  A representative of the County of Kauai selected by the Mayor; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the collaborative working group is requested to determine a process to address iwi kūpuna exposed along shorelines, ensuring their protection from adverse impact; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the collaborative working group is requested to assess public lands near culturally sensitive areas were iwi kūpuna were exposed along shorelines to determine locations that may be designated as suitable reinternment sites; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to consider the appropriate methods of funding to support the collaborative working group, including for the construction of secure and culturally appropriate reinternment vaults in areas designated by the collaborative working group to ensure the respectful and permanent protection of iwi kūpuna; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the collaborative working group is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources; Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Administrator of the Department of Land and Natural Resources' State Historic Preservation Division; and Mayors of the City and County of Honolulu and County of Maui, County of Hawaii, and County of Kauai.

Report Title: 

Department of Land and Natural Resources; Working Group; Shorelines; Erosion

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1817

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.R. No. 118

      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 Finance, to which was referred H.R. No. 118, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO ESTABLISH A COLLABORATIVE WORKING GROUP TO SURVEY, IDENTIFY, AND MONITOR CULTURALLY SENSITIVE SHORELINES IMPACTED BY EROSION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish a collaborative working group to survey, identify, and monitor culturally sensitive shorelines impacted by erosion.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 118, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1690

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.R. No. 118

      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 H.R. No. 118 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO ESTABLISH A COLLABORATIVE WORKING GROUP TO SURVEY, IDENTIFY, AND MONITOR CULTURALLY SENSITIVE SHORELINES IMPACTED BY EROSION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish a collaborative working group to survey, identify, and monitor culturally sensitive shorelines impacted by erosion.  

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; and Hawaii Climate Change and Health Working Group.   

     Your Committee finds Native Hawaiian iwi kūpuna were historically interred along sandy shoreline areas, which are increasingly threatened by coastal erosion.  Your Committee further finds that iwi kūpuna discovered through shoreline erosion are often located above the high-water mark, which makes it difficult to preserve them in place.  Your Committee believes that as more of the State's coastline is threated by coastal erosion, there is a need to develop procedures for the respectful and culturally appropriate treatment of these iwi kūpuna, including surveying, identifying, and monitoring culturally sensitive shorelines impacted by erosion.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that the appropriate Island Burial Council is the designated entity responsible for the disposition of inadvertently discovered iwi kūpuna;

     (2)  Amending the composition of the working group; and

     (3)  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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 118, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 118, H.D. 1.

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