HI SB172

Establishes the island of Niihau as a separate county independent from Kauai County, with governance under the Department of Land and Natural Resources rather than standard county authority.

Places Niihau under DLNR jurisdiction and control, with the department adopting rules for the county's establishment and maintenance, including rules protecting residents' customary and traditional subsistence, cultural, and religious rights under the Hawaii Constitution.

Creates a new Niihau district for purposes of state redistricting and taxation, adding a sixth district to the Kauai island group while removing Niihau from Kauai County's administrative districts.

Makes conforming amendments throughout Hawaii Revised Statutes to exclude or separately account for Niihau County in various county-related definitions, political party requirements, election procedures, and special districts.

Transfers all rights, powers, functions, duties, employees, appropriations, records, and property related to Niihau's governance from Kauai County to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, with transferred employees retaining civil service status and benefits.