Bill > SB1193

This bill establishes the Aloha Aina Land Trust, a new state entity designed to manage and rehabilitate lands previously leased to the United States military after those lease agreements expire. When military leases end, the lands will be transferred either to owners of inheritable kuleana land (traditional Hawaiian land ownership) or to the new land trust. The trust will be composed of seven trustees appointed by the governor, including representatives from the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and experts in ecological restoration, regenerative agriculture, and cultural programming. The trust's primary responsibilities include collaborating with Native Hawaiian organizations, rehabilitating lands affected by military use, restoring ecological systems, promoting sustainable agriculture, supporting indigenous knowledge, and creating educational programs. The transferred lands can only be used for ecological rehabilitation, regenerative agriculture, educational and cultural purposes, and community development, with commercial uses strictly prohibited. The bill also appropriates state funds to support the trust's operations and specifies that lands previously classified as government or crown lands will be held in trust, with potential future transfer to a recognized sovereign Native Hawaiian entity. The legislation will take effect upon approval, with funding provisions becoming active on July 1, 2025.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1193&year=2026