HI HCR193

Request that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs convene a working group to examine transferring Native Hawaiian burial site management responsibilities from the State Historic Preservation Division to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs under Chapter 6E, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Working group must identify which duties and responsibilities regarding Native Hawaiian burial site protection and Island Burial Council administration can be shared with or assumed by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Working group must develop an implementation plan with timeline for any transfer, including necessary statutory and administrative amendments, and submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the 2027 Regular Session.

Working group membership to include two representatives from State Historic Preservation Division, two from Office of Hawaiian Affairs, one member from each Island Burial Council, and five community members with expertise in protecting Native Hawaiian burial sites.

Resolution cites 2023 Burial Sites Working Group findings that the State failed to adequately manage burial law responsibilities and has potential conflicts of interest in the current structure.