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OHA: Office of Hawaiian Affairs

URGENT: Testimony needed for SB268 and SB269 by Tomorrow, Jan. 27!

The Senate Committee on Hawaiian Affairs will be hearing two bills from OHA’s 2025 Legislative Package on Tuesday, January 28 at 1:00 p.m:
  • SB 268, Relating to Island Burial Councils
  • SB269, Relating to the Budget of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
  • OHA’s Kaka‘ako Makai Bill is also scheduled for hearing Wednesday, January 29 at 1:00 pm.

Submit Testimony on SB268 and SB269 by Monday, January 27 at 1:00 p.m.
Testimony received after the deadline will be accepted, but will be considered late. If you wish to testify via videoconference, you must also submit written testimony.

See the Hawaiian Affairs Hearing Notice and Submit Testimony Here


Summary of SB268:
  • The island burial councils were created in 1990 following the disinterment of over 1,100 burials in the location of the proposed Ritz-Carlton Kapalua.
  • The councils were created to give Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners and lineal descendants a voice in the historic preservation process.
  • Unfortunately, problems continue to plague the HRS Chapter 6E historic review process, as documented by the 2022 Burial Sites Working Group in its Final Report, leading to continued desecration across the pae ‘āina.
  • OHA’s bill would strengthen cultural perspectives and make it easier for councils to convene and do business by eliminating the seats designated for “development and large landowner interests.”
  • Currently, up to three seats can be held by development interests on the O‘ahu, Maui/Lāna‘i, Kaua‘i/Ni‘ihau, and Hawai‘i burial councils, and one seat on the Moloka‘i burial council.

SAMPLE TESTIMONY ON SB268

Aloha e Chair Richards, Vice Chair San Buenaventura, and Members of the Committee on Hawaiian Affairs:

I support SB268 for the following reasons:

Perpetuation of mālama iwi practices: SB268 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: SB268 would also lower the number of individuals necessary for the councils to meet by removing the landowner seats. Quorum has historically been a roadblock to council decision making, leaving important community issues—including the recognition of lineal and cultural descendants—unresolved. Allowing councils to do business with a smaller number of 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: As recognized by the legislature when the burial councils were created in 1990, the public has a vital interest in the disposition of its interred persons, which is in the nature of a sacred trust for the benefit of all. The state also has a constitutional trust duty to protect Native Hawaiian traditional and cultural practices, including those related to mālama iwi. The island burial councils are an important means for the state to effectuate these trust duties by ensuring Native Hawaiians cultural perspectives are properly reflected in council decisions.

Mahalo for the opportunity to testify in support of this important measure. I respectfully urge the committee to pass SB268.

[Your Contact Information] 


Summary of OHA’s Budget Bill (SB269):
  • Funds 13 new staff positions to accelerate implementation of OHA’s strategic plan Mana i Mauli Ola, and build out programs to deliver on OHA’s mandates under Hawai‘i Revised Statutes (HRS) 10 and 10H.
  • Staff will evaluate existing programs and develop new programs and tactics to advance ‘oiwi well-being and reduce disparities in health, housing, education and economic development.
  • Staff will partner with state and county agencies to ensure effective delivery of services to Native Hawaiian communities across providers through data sharing, program design, and program evaluation.
  • Staff will post dashboard progress reports on Native Hawaiian social indicators for the public to track progress in reducing disparities and increase transparency and accountability around program activities.

SAMPLE TESTIMONY ON SB269

Aloha e Chair Richards, Vice Chair San Buenaventura, and Members of the Committee on Hawaiian Affairs:

I support SB269 which increases funding for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) to hire new staff and accelerate implementation of its 15-year strategic plan, Mana i Mauli Ola. The state has never allocated OHA its full pro rata share due by law and therefore periodic appropriations are just, fair, and necessary to enable OHA to meet its broad mandate to better the condition of Native Hawaiians.

I also understand that OHA’s funding request will staff positions focused on leveraging partnerships with other state and county agencies and increasing transparency around OHA’s work, including progress towards meeting its mandates. This is a smart investment of taxpayer dollars to ensure collaboration between and among government entities that serve Native Hawaiians and share common goals.

As a Native Hawaiian beneficiary and voter, I am excited to see that OHA’s leadership is bringing innovative approaches to problems that have persisted for generations. The strategic direction undertaken by OHA is worthy of support from the legislature as we work together to provide opportunity and progress for all Hawai‘i’s residents.

Mahalo for the opportunity to testify in support of this important measure. I respectfully urge the committee to pass SB269.

[Your Contact Information] 


View OHA’s 2025 Legislative Package


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