H.B. 697 Summary

• Establishes a Makua Valley Task Force within the Department of Land and Natural Resources to prepare for management transition of the Makua military reservation when the U.S. Army's General Lease No. S-3848 expires on August 16, 2029.

• Task force membership includes the DLNR board chairperson, an Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee, a legislative representative, families evicted from Makua Valley, the Aha Moku Advisory Committee, three non-profit organization representatives, and a native Hawaiian organization representative, plus a U.S. Army Pacific commander designee.

• Directs the task force to negotiate with the U.S. Army regarding expedient return of the valley, cleanup of unexploded ordnance, and expansion of cultural access opportunities.

• Requires the task force to base transition plans on the goal of transferring the lands to the State as a public land trust, with eventual management transfer to a sovereign native Hawaiian entity upon its federal and state recognition.

• Task force must submit findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than twenty days before the 2024 regular session convening and shall dissolve six months after the August 16, 2029 lease expiration.