HI HB1501

Appropriates $260,000,000 from general revenues for fiscal year 2019-2020 to purchase all landholdings of Molokai Properties Limited and GL Limited on the island of Molokai.

Requires that all lands acquired be held in trust as part of the public land trust for the betterment of native Hawaiians.

Responds to April 5, 2008 closure of Molokai Ranch operations that eliminated 120 jobs and denied public access to approximately one-third of the island for gathering, hunting, and fishing.

Protects approximately one-third of Molokai's total land area and preserves access to wahi pana (places of historical and cultural value) including heiau, ceremonial sites, ancient taro loi, and loko ia (ancient fishponds).

Takes effect on July 1, 2019.