HI HB1919

Establishes the Kupuna Retreat Education Act for Teaching Ecology (K.R.E.A.T.E.) to authorize educational retreat operations on rural agricultural land in Hawaii counties.

Creates an "educational retreat permit" system allowing county planning departments to designate areas for retreat facilities that teach ecology, sustainable living, and cultural practices, with maximum density of 8 residents per acre and 500 habitable acres per site.

Permits exemptions from certain county codes, ordinances, rules, and permits relating to construction, building requirements, occupancy, zoning, and subdivisions when approved by planning departments and the department of health.

Requires applicants to submit detailed programs, site plans, occupancy numbers, and assessments of conflicting regulations; grants the department of health 30 days to determine environmental impacts and approve innovative wastewater treatment systems.

Mandates annual reporting by permittees to planning departments, allows permit revocation for substantial violations, and preserves all state water law requirements and environmental assessment requirements.