Bill > HB409

This bill modifies the composition and structure of Island Burial Councils across Hawaii, reducing the number of council members from nine to seven (except for Moloka'i, which will have five members) and removing the requirement to include representatives from development and large property owner interests. The legislation aims to better align the councils with Native Hawaiian cultural values by focusing on members who have a deep understanding of Hawaiian cultural practices, burial beliefs, and traditions. The bill recognizes the profound spiritual significance of iwi kupuna (ancestral remains) and seeks to ensure that burial councils prioritize the respectful treatment and protection of these remains. Each council will continue to represent specific geographic regions, with at least two regional representatives nominated by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and members will be selected based on their understanding of local Hawaiian culture, history, and burial customs. The change reflects a desire to center cultural knowledge and spiritual practices in the management of ancestral burial sites, removing potential commercial or development-oriented perspectives from the councils' decision-making process.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=409&year=2026