Bill > HB144

This bill provides flexibility for the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority during its five-year transition period by allowing two or more members, potentially including a quorum, to meet and discuss the Authority's business without strictly adhering to standard public meeting laws. The key provision permits these meetings with two important restrictions: members cannot make or seek commitments to vote, and any actual decision-making must occur during officially noticed meetings. This approach is intended to help the Authority, which was created to address long-standing tensions between cultural preservation and scientific research on Mauna Kea, to have more open and frank discussions. The legislature recognizes the complex history of mistrust between stakeholders and believes this flexible meeting approach will help members work through challenging issues in a culturally sensitive manner while still maintaining public transparency and accountability. The bill amends Chapter 195H of Hawaii Revised Statutes to explicitly allow these types of interactions during the Authority's transition period, which is set to last five years and involves developing management plans, establishing frameworks for astronomy development, and preparing for full management of Mauna Kea.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=144&year=2026