Bill > SB770

This bill addresses meeting regulations for the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority during its five-year transition period. Recognizing historical tensions between cultural and scientific stakeholders regarding Mauna Kea's management, the bill allows two or more authority members, potentially including a quorum, to meet and discuss the authority's business without strictly adhering to traditional public meeting laws. These discussions are permitted with two key restrictions: no votes can be committed or sought during these meetings, and any actual decision-making must occur during formally noticed public meetings. The legislation aims to provide flexibility for the authority to have frank, open discussions and build trust among diverse stakeholders while maintaining public transparency. The bill explicitly states that these interactions will not be considered official "meetings" under Hawaii's existing public meeting regulations, thereby giving the authority more latitude to engage in collaborative problem-solving during its transition period. The underlying goal is to help stakeholders overcome decades of distrust and work together to develop comprehensive management plans for Mauna Kea in a culturally sensitive manner.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=770&year=2026