Bill > HCR122

This concurrent resolution requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to establish a collaborative working group focused on surveying, identifying, and monitoring culturally sensitive shorelines experiencing erosion, with a specific emphasis on protecting Native Hawaiian iwi kupuna (ancestral remains) that are being exposed due to coastal erosion. The proposed working group would include representatives from various state and county agencies, such as the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, State Historic Preservation Division, Island Burial Councils, and representatives from Honolulu, Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai counties. The group's primary objectives are to develop a process for addressing exposed iwi kupuna, assess public lands near culturally sensitive areas for potential reinterment sites, and explore funding methods for constructing secure and culturally appropriate reinterment vaults. The resolution highlights the cultural significance of Native Hawaiian burial sites and the challenges of preserving these sites in erosion-prone coastal areas. The working group is requested to submit a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature before the 2026 Regular Session, emphasizing the importance of protecting and respecting Native Hawaiian cultural heritage in the face of environmental changes.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HCR&billnumber=122&year=2025