HB 2608 Summary

• Amends the definition of "burial site" in Section 6E-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to clarify language that had resulted in questionable interpretations regarding multiple burials, secondary burials, marked burials, and associated burial goods.

• Expands the definition to include both marked and unmarked locations where prehistoric or historic human skeletal remains of an individual or set of individuals are found.

• Changes "interred" to "found" and replaces "archaeological context" with "cultural context" to broaden the scope of what constitutes a burial site.

• Specifies that associated burial goods that may be present are included as part of the surrounding cultural context rather than being listed separately.

• Takes effect upon approval.