HB 2626 Summary

• Amends Section 171-28 of Hawaii Revised Statutes to establish specific findings the Board of Land and Natural Resources must make before leasing government-owned Hawaiian fishponds.

• Requires lease applicants to provide a management plan demonstrating use of traditional native Hawaiian practices and protocols (including kilo, kia'i loko, and uhau humu pōhaku for rock-walled fishponds) as the primary component of their tenancy.

• Mandates the Board find that proposed leases do not cause substantial adverse environmental or ecological impact on the fishpond or surrounding areas.

• Maintains the existing prohibition on the Board selling fee interest in public lands where government-owned Hawaiian fishponds are located.

• Takes effect upon approval.