HB 1470 Summary

• Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 669-1 to add new requirements for quiet title actions involving kuleana land (land granted to native tenants under the 1850 Act).

• Requires mandatory mediation upon request of a defendant in any quiet title action where kuleana land is claimed.

• Permits consolidation of separate quiet title actions involving the same plaintiff and kuleana lands in the same circuit court upon request of defendants.

• Prohibits plaintiffs from seeking extinguishment of defendants' access to kuleana land for native Hawaiian cultural and traditional practices, and prevents plaintiffs from recovering costs, expenses, or attorney's fees from defendants in kuleana land disputes.

• Requires the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to be joined as a defendant when quiet title actions involve kuleana land and an owner died intestate with no heirs under the Hawaii uniform probate code.

• Takes effect July 1, 2019.