SB 2003: Mauna Kea Lands; UH; MKSOA; Act 255, SLH 2022; Leases; Subleases; Extension
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2026-03-05
Current Status:
Failed
(2026-03-12: Referred to WAL, HED, JHA, referral sheet 17)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
Provides for the repeal of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority and reversion of management authority over Mauna Kea lands to the University of Hawaii if the timelines specified in Act 255, SLH 2022, are not met. Establishes a deadline of 7/1/2030 for the transfer of appropriations, records, equipment, and other property to the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority. Authorizes the Authority to extend existing leases and subleases for up to an additional 10-year term. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
Provides for the repeal of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority and reversion of management authority over Mauna Kea lands to the University of Hawaii upon a recommendation from the Auditor that the Authority is unfit to continue management of Mauna Kea lands. Authorizes the Authority to extend existing leases and subleases for up to an additional ten-year term. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
Requires the Auditor's report pursuant to section 4 of Act 255, SLH 2022, to include a recommendation as to whether the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority is fit to continue management of Mauna Kea lands. If the Auditor recommends that the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority is unfit to continue management of Mauna Kea lands, provides for the repeal of the Authority and reversion of management authority over Mauna Kea lands to the University of Hawaii.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2003 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
S.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Act 255, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, is amended as follows:
1. By amending section 9 to read:
"SECTION
9. [All] No later than July 1,
2030, all appropriations, records, equipment, machines, files, supplies,
contracts, books, papers, documents, maps, and other personal property
heretofore made, used, acquired, or held by the University of Hawaii relating
to the functions transferred to the Mauna Kea stewardship and oversight
authority shall be transferred with the functions to which they relate."
2. By amending section 18 to read:
"SECTION
18. This Act shall
take effect on July 1, 2022; provided that [part]:
(1) Part
IV shall take effect on July 1, 2028[.]; and
(2) If the timelines specified in this Act, including the timeline for the transfer of authority, responsibility, and duties, have not been met, then on December 31, 2031:
(A) Parts II, III, and IV of this Act shall be repealed and sections 28-8.3, 76-16, and chapter 304A, part IV, subpart O, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall be reenacted in the form in which it read on the day before the effective date of this Act; provided further that the amendments made to section 76-16, Hawaii Revised Statutes, by:
(i) Section 2 of Act 42, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023;
(ii) Section 2 of Act 186, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023;
(iii) Section 2 of Act 66, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024;
(iv) Section 1 of Act 79, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024;
(v) Section 2 of Act 131, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024;
(vi) Section 2 of Act 165, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024;
(vii) Section 3 of Act 209, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024;
(viii) Section 2 of Act 247, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024;
(ix) Section 1 of Act 57, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025;
(x) Section 1 of Act 132, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025; and
(xi) Section 5 of Act 302, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025,
shall not be repealed when section 76-16, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is reenacted on December 31, 2031, pursuant to this subparagraph; and
(B) Management authority over Mauna Kea lands, as defined in section 304A-1901, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall revert to the university of Hawaii."
PART II
SECTION 2. (a) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary:
(1) The lease between the board of land and natural resources and the university of Hawaii that was entered into on June 21, 1968, as General Lease S‑4191, as amended on September 21, 1999, as General Lease S-5529, and that is transferred to the Mauna Kea stewardship and oversight authority pursuant to part II of Act 255, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022; and
(2) Any other lease or easement between the board of land and natural resources and the university of Hawaii pertaining to Mauna Kea lands that is currently in effect, expires on December 31, 2033, and is transferred to the Mauna Kea stewardship and oversight authority pursuant to part II of Act 255, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022,
shall be extended, by operation of law, for a period of ten years, to expire on December 31, 2043; provided that nothing in this subsection shall be construed to amend, or authorize the amendment of, any other term or provision within the respective lease or easement except for the date upon which the lease or easement expires; provided further that nothing in this subsection shall be construed to affect the transfer of powers, functions, and duties from the university of Hawaii to the Mauna Kea stewardship and oversight authority pursuant to part II of Act 255, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, or the Mauna Kea stewardship and oversight authority's power to manage Mauna Kea lands after the end of the transition period pursuant to section 195H-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, or any other law.
(b) Notwithstanding section 195H-6(f), Hawaii Revised Statutes, or any other law to the contrary, and subject to the agreement of the respective astronomical observatory, all subleases of Mauna Kea lands to astronomical observatories shall be extended for a period of ten years, to expire on December 31, 2043; provided that nothing in this subsection shall be construed to amend, or authorize the amendment of, any other term or provision within a respective sublease except for the date upon which the sublease expires.
(c) For the purposes of this section:
"Astronomical observatory" means any person or entity that leases any portion of Mauna Kea lands for the purpose of operating a telescope observatory or for other astronomical research purposes.
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
Mauna Kea Lands; UH; MKSOA; Act 255, SLH 2022; Leases; Subleases; Extension
Description:
Provides for the repeal of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority and reversion of management authority over Mauna Kea lands to the University of Hawaii if the timelines specified in Act 255, SLH 2022, are not met. Establishes a deadline of 7/1/2030 for the transfer of appropriations, records, equipment, and other property to the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority. Authorizes the Authority to extend existing leases and subleases for up to an additional 10-year term. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2003 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Act 255, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, is amended by amending section 18 to read as follows:
"SECTION
18. This Act shall
take effect on July 1, 2022; provided that [part]:
(1) Part
IV shall take effect on July 1, 2028[.]; and
(2) If the auditor finds, in the report required under section 6 of this Act, that the transfer of authority, responsibility, and duties pursuant to this Act is not substantially complete, then on December 31, 3031:
(A) Parts II, III, and IV of this Act shall be repealed and sections 28-8.3, 76-16, and chapter 304A, part IV, subpart O, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall be reenacted in the form in which it read on the day before the effective date of this Act; provided further that the amendments made to section 76-16, Hawaii Revised Statutes, by:
(i) Section 2 of Act 42, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023;
(ii) Section 2 of Act 186, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023;
(iii) Section 2 of Act 66, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024;
(iv) Section 1 of Act 79, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024;
(v) Section 2 of Act 131, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024;
(vi) Section 2 of Act 165, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024;
(vii) Section 3 of Act 209, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024;
(viii) Section 2 of Act 247, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024;
(ix) Section 1 of Act 57, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025;
(x) Section 1 of Act 132, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025; and
(xi) Section 5 of Act 302, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025,
shall not be repealed when section 76-16, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is reenacted on December 31, 2031, pursuant to this subparagraph; and
(B) Management authority over Mauna Kea lands, as defined in section 304A-1901, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall revert to the university of Hawaii."
PART II
SECTION 2. (a) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary:
(1) The lease between the board of land and natural resources and the university of Hawaii that was entered into on June 21, 1968, as General Lease S‑4191, as amended on September 21, 1999, as General Lease S-5529, and that is transferred to the Mauna Kea stewardship and oversight authority pursuant to part II of Act 255, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022; and
(2) Any other lease or easement between the board of land and natural resources and the university of Hawaii pertaining to Mauna Kea lands that is currently in effect, expires on December 31, 2033, and is transferred to the Mauna Kea stewardship and oversight authority pursuant to part II of Act 255, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022,
shall be extended, by operation of law, for a period of ten years, to expire on December 31, 2043; provided that nothing in this subsection shall be construed to amend, or authorize the amendment of, any other term or provision within the respective lease or easement except for the date upon which the lease or easement expires; provided further that nothing in this subsection shall be construed to affect the transfer of powers, functions, and duties from the university of Hawaii to the Mauna Kea stewardship and oversight authority pursuant to part II of Act 255, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, or the Mauna Kea stewardship and oversight authority's power to manage Mauna Kea lands after the end of the transition period pursuant to section 195H-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, or any other law.
(b) Notwithstanding section 195H-6(f), Hawaii Revised Statutes, or any other law to the contrary, and subject to the agreement of the respective astronomical observatory, all subleases of Mauna Kea lands to astronomical observatories shall be extended for a period of ten years, to expire on December 31, 2043; provided that nothing in this subsection shall be construed to amend, or authorize the amendment of, any other term or provision within a respective sublease except for the date upon which the sublease expires.
(c) For the purposes of this section:
"Astronomical observatory" means any person or entity that leases any portion of Mauna Kea lands for the purpose of operating a telescope observatory or for other astronomical research purposes.
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
Mauna Kea Lands; UH; MKSOA; Auditor; Act 255, SLH 2022; Leases; Subleases; Extension
Description:
Provides for the repeal of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority and reversion of management authority over Mauna Kea lands to the University of Hawaii upon a recommendation from the Auditor that the Authority is unfit to continue management of Mauna Kea lands. Authorizes the Authority to extend existing leases and subleases for up to an additional ten-year term. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2003 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Act 255, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, is amended as follows:
1. By amending section 6 to read:
"SECTION 6. The auditor shall conduct a performance and financial audit of the Mauna Kea stewardship and oversight authority and shall submit a report on findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2031. The report shall include a recommendation as to whether the Mauna Kea stewardship and oversight authority is fit to continue management of Mauna Kea lands."
2. By amending section 18 to read:
"SECTION
18. This Act shall
take effect on July 1, 2022; provided that [part]:
(1) Part IV shall take effect on
July 1, 2028[.]; and
(2) If the auditor recommends, in the report required under section 6 of this Act, that the Mauna Kea stewardship and oversight authority is unfit to continue management of Mauna Kea lands, then on December 31, 2031:
(A) Parts II, III, and IV of this Act shall be repealed and sections 28-8.3, 76-16, and chapter 304A, part IV, subpart O, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall be reenacted in the form in which it read on the day before the effective date of this Act; provided further that the amendments made to section 76-16, Hawaii Revised Statutes, by:
(i) Section 2 of Act 42, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023;
(ii) Section 2 of Act 186, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023;
(iii) Section 2 of Act 66, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024;
(iv) Section 1 of Act 79, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024;
(v) Section 2 of Act 131, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024;
(vi) Section 2 of Act 165, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024;
(vii) Section 3 of Act 209, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024;
(viii) Section 2 of Act 247, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024;
(ix) Section 1 of Act 57, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025;
(x) Section 1 of Act 132, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025; and
(xi) Section 5 of Act 302, Session Laws of Hawaii 2025,
shall not be repealed when section 76-16, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is reenacted on December 31, 2031, pursuant to this subparagraph; and
(B) Management authority over Mauna Kea lands, as defined in section 304A-1901, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall revert to the university of Hawaii."
SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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Report Title:
Mauna Kea Lands; UH; MKSOA; Auditor; Act 255, SLH 2022
Description:
Requires the Auditor's report pursuant to section 4 of Act 255, SLH 2022, to include a recommendation as to whether the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority is fit to continue management of Mauna Kea lands. If the Auditor recommends that the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority is unfit to continue management of Mauna Kea lands, provides for the repeal of the Authority and reversion of management authority over Mauna Kea lands to the University of Hawaii.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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Date
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Status
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| Mar 12, 2026 | Referred to WAL, HED, JHA, referral sheet 17 |
| Mar 12, 2026 | Pass First Reading |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 146) in amended form (SD 2). |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 21; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Ihara, Keohokalole, McKelvey. Noes, 4 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte, Fevella, San Buenaventura). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House. |
| Mar 6, 2026 | 48 Hrs. Notice 03-10-26. |
| Mar 6, 2026 | Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2933) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). |
| Mar 3, 2026 | The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Wakai; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Richards ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella. |
| Feb 25, 2026 | The committee(s) on WAM deferred the measure until 03-03-26 10:15AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference. |
| Feb 23, 2026 | The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-25-26 10:57AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference. |
| Feb 20, 2026 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. |
| Feb 20, 2026 | Reported from WLA/EDU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2690) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. |
| Feb 18, 2026 | The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDU were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, Kidani, Hashimoto; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) DeCorte; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fukunaga. |
| Feb 18, 2026 | The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WLA were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Lamosao; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) DeCorte; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Chang. |
| Feb 13, 2026 | The committee(s) on WLA/EDU has scheduled a public hearing on 02-18-26 1:00PM; CR 229 & Videoconference. |
| Jan 22, 2026 | Referred to WLA/EDU, WAM. |
| Jan 21, 2026 | Introduced and passed First Reading. |
| Jan 14, 2026 | Pending Introduction. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| Mar 10, 2026 | Third Reading | Senate Floor |
Passed |
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| Mar 3, 2026 | The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Ways and Means |
Passed |
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| Feb 18, 2026 | The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Education |
Passed |
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| Feb 18, 2026 | The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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| Aloha Lokahi Association | *** Against | Feb 27, 2026 |
| Center for Maunakea Stewardship | *** Support | Feb 27, 2026 |
| Confederated Villages of Lisjan Nation | ** Against | |
| Ho'opae Pono Peace Project | *** Against | Feb 18, 2026 |
| Hoʻopae Pono Peace Project | ** Against | |
| Hui Kulike Kakou | ** Against | |
| Hui Kulike Kakou | *** Against | Feb 18, 2026 |
| HULI PAC | *** Against | Feb 27, 2026 |
| Institute for Astronomy | *** Support | Feb 27, 2026 |
| Malu 'Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action | *** Against | Feb 27, 2026 |
| Moku O Keawe | *** Against | Feb 27, 2026 |
| Na Wai Hoʻola Nui Laʻau Lapaʻau Foundation | ** Against | |
| Na Wai Ho’ola Nui La’au Lapa’au Foundation | *** Against | Feb 18, 2026 |
| Nation of Hawaiʻi | ** Against | |
| Nation of Hawai’i | *** Against | Feb 18, 2026 |
| Pōhaku Pelemaka | *** Against | Feb 27, 2026 |
| University of Hawaiʻi Manoa | *** Support | Feb 27, 2026 |
| University of Hawaiʻi System | *** Support | Feb 27, 2026 |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2933
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 2003
S.D. 2
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2003, S.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide for potential changes in the governance of Mauna Kea.
Specifically, this measure:
(1) Provides for the repeal of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority and reversion of management over Mauna Kea lands to the University of Hawaii upon a recommendation from the Auditor that the transfer of authority, responsibility, and duties under Act 255, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, is not substantially complete; and
(2) Automatically extends for ten years the general lease of Mauna Kea lands and the corresponding subleases of Mauna Kea lands to astronomical observatories.
Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from twelve individuals.
Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General, University of Hawaii, and Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority.
Your Committee finds that, while the Auditor is empowered to assess whether agencies are fulfilling their statutory duties effectively, the Legislature, as the State's policy-making body, has the role of determining whether an agency should be reformed, dissolved, or have its responsibilities reassigned.
Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Deleting language providing for the repeal of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority if the Auditor determines that the transfer of authority, responsibility, and duties under Act 255, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, is not substantially complete;
(2) Providing instead for the automatic repeal of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority on December 31, 2031, if the timelines for the transfer of authority, responsibility, and duties required under Act 255, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, are not met; and
(3) Requiring that the transfer of appropriations, records, equipment, and other property from the University of Hawaii to the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority under section 9 of Act 255, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, be completed by July 1, 2030.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2003, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2003, S.D. 2.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,
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________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2690
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 2003
S.D. 1
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committees on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts and Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 2003 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT,"
beg leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to:
(1) Require the Auditor's report pursuant to section 4 of Act 255, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, to include a recommendation as to whether the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority is fit to continue management of Mauna Kea lands; and
(2) If the Auditor recommends that the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority is unfit to continue management of Mauna Kea lands, provide for the repeal of the Authority and reversion of management authority over Mauna Kea lands to the University of Hawaii.
Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from two individuals.
Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the HULI PAC, Na Wai Hoʻola Nui Laʻau Lapaʻau Foundation, Hui Kulike Kakou, Hoʻopae Pono Peace Project, Nation of Hawaiʻi, Confederated Villages of Lisjan Nation, and fifty-one individuals.
Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Office of the Auditor, Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority, and six individuals.
Your Committees find that Act 255, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, established the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority because of the University of Hawaii's failure to adequately protect Mauna Kea's cultural and natural resources, its mismanagement of subleases, and its lapse of public trust responsibilities. However, since its establishment, the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority has experienced significant challenges in effectuating its statutory mandates. Requiring the Office of the Auditor to assess the performance of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority and determine whether the Authority is unfit to continue the management of Mauna Kea lands would ensure accountability and transparency. This measure will yield more informed oversight of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority's management of public trust lands.
Your Committees note the concern raised by the Office of the Auditor that, while it is the responsibility of the Office of the Auditor to assess whether an agency is performing certain activities key to achieving its statutory purpose efficiently, effectively, and ethically, it is the role of the Legislature to determine whether an agency should be reformed, dissolved, or have its responsibilities reassigned. Your Committees further note the concern raised that the University of Hawaii's master lease and all observatory subleases will expire in 2033 and additional time is needed to negotiate potential lease extensions. Therefore, amendments to this measure are necessary to address these concerns.
Your Committees have amended this measure by:
(1) Deleting language that would have required the Office of the Auditor to include in its report a recommendation as to whether the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority is fit to continue management of Mauna Kea lands;
(2) Inserting language that extends for a period of ten years the master lease of Mauna Kea lands that is currently set to expire on December 31, 2033;
(3) Inserting language that requires that all subleases of Mauna Kea lands for astronomical observatories to be extended for ten years;
(4) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and
(5) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.
As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts and Education that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2003, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2003, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts and Education,
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________________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair |
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________________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Feb 27, 2026 | SB2003_SD1_TESTIMONY_WAM_02-25-26_.PDF |
| Feb 18, 2026 | SB2003_TESTIMONY_WLA-EDU_02-18-26_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
15MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Education
15MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts
17SEC
Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Environment
17SEC
Senate Standing Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):
