Testify in support of SB 268 SD1!

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Mahalo to everyone who has supported OHA’s priority iwi kūpuna bill so far this session. Thanks to your support, this bill crossed over to the House last week, and will be heard at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 13, 2025, by the House Committee on Water and Land.

Submit Testimony by Wednesday, March 12, at 9:00 a.m.
Testimony received after the deadline will be accepted, but considered late. Those who wish to testify via videoconference must also submit written testimony.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT TESTIMONY ON SB 268_SD1

How to Create a Legislative Account | How to Testify

Summary of SB 268_SD1

The island burial councils were created in 1990 following the disinterment of over 1,100 Native Hawaiian burials in the location of the proposed Ritz-Carlton Kapalua.
The councils were created to give Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners and lineal descendants a role in protecting iwi kūpuna through the historic review process (HRS Chapter 6E) and to prevent future desecration.
Currently, up to 3 of 9 seats on Island Burial Councils (and 1 of 5 seats on the Moloka‘i council) are reserved for “development and large landowner interests.”
OHA’s bill would strengthen cultural perspectives and make it easier for councils to meet by eliminating the large landowner seats and reducing council size from 9 to 7 members (the Moloka‘i council would remain at 5).

Sample Testimony in Support of SB 268_SD1

Use this sample to submit your own testimony:

Aloha e Chair Hashem, Vice Chair Lamosao, and Members of the House Committee on Water and Land:

I support SB 268_SD1 for the following reasons:

Perpetuation of mālama iwi practices: SB 268_SD1 strengthens the ability of Island Burial Councils to fulfill their primary mission: to protect and mālama iwi kūpuna. By centering cultural knowledge and expertise, and removing the requirement that developer and large landowner interests have reserved seats on each council, this bill ensures the councils will represent Native Hawaiian cultural perspectives.

Increasing the effectiveness of burial councils: SB 268_SD1 would also decrease the number of individuals necessary for the councils to meet by removing the landowner seats. Historically, quorum requirements have made it difficult for councils to convene, leaving important community issues – including the recognition of lineal and cultural descendants – unresolved. Allowing councils to do business with fewer members will help relieve this backlog and ensure that descendants have a voice in the protection and preservation of burial sites.

Implementing the state’s trust duties: The State of Hawaiʻi has a constitutional mandate to protect Native Hawaiian traditional and cultural practices, including those related to mālama iwi. Island Burial Councils are an important means for the state to effectuate its trust duties by ensuring that Native Hawaiians cultural perspectives are properly reflected in council decisions, and by empowering Native Hawaiian decision-making authority over Native Hawaiian burial sites.

Mahalo for the opportunity to testify in support of this important measure. I respectfully urge the committee to pass SB 268_SD1.

[Your Name]

[Your Contact Information]