Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Legislation Public Land Trust topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
OHA trustees take positions on public‑land and preservation bills; vote to request governor veto on SB739
Summary
At the April 30 meeting, trustees reviewed multiple legislative matrices. They recorded opposition to changes to historic‑preservation law (SB15), noted SB903 died in conference committee, and voted to ask the governor to veto SB739 (land‑exchange language).
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Committee on Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment reviewed several legislative matrices at its April 30, 2025 meeting and took formal positions on bills affecting the public land trust and historic‑preservation law.
SB903 (audit and inventory funding): Staff reported the conference committee adopted the Senate side with reductions and that a version including settlement language opposed by OHA did not move forward; trustees were updated that the funding vehicle in SB903 ultimately died in conference committee. No action was required by the committee on SB903.
SB739 (ceded/public land exchange): The committee considered Matrix 3, which addresses bills that affect the public land trust. Staff recommended opposing a version of SB739 because it does not include additional legislative protections OHA sought (specifically a requirement to send certain alienations to the legislature). After discussion staff recommended asking the governor to veto SB739. The board voted to adopt that posture. The roll call recorded eight yes votes and the motion passed.
Public testimony and staff follow‑up: Beneficiary testifier Germaine Myers thanked legislators who did not advance the settlement language in SB903 and urged OHA to complete an independent public land trust inventory rather than start litigation without first establishing an accounting of the trust. Staff said they are exploring a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to carry out an audit and inventory and will update the board as options evolve.
Historic preservation (SB15 / HRS chapter 6E): Staff alerted trustees that SB15, which reached the board as Matrix 9, had been amended to alter the definition of "historic property" and to exempt some previously developed residential parcels from historic review. Staff and the State Historic Preservation Division expressed concern that the changed definition could exclude areas with concentrations of burial sites or sensitive features, and recommended opposing the amendment and seeking a governor veto. The committee adopted staff recommendations for positions on Matrix 9; the recorded vote on that motion passed (7 yes votes).
Votes at a glance
- SB739 (public land/land‑exchange language): Motion to request the governor veto the bill — outcome: approved. Vote: 8 yes, 0 no (roll call recorded eight yes votes). Mover/second: not specified in the transcript.
- SB15 (historic preservation amendments; HRS chapter 6E): Committee adopted staff recommendation to oppose and request veto — outcome: approved. Motion moved by Trustee Akaka; seconded by Trustee Wahei. Vote: recorded as passing with seven yes votes.
- SB903 (audit/inventory funding; settlement language concerns): Reported as dying in conference committee; no committee action required.
Trustees asked staff to continue exploring a cooperative approach with DLNR or other state entities to complete an audit and inventory of public (ceded) lands, rather than relying solely on external legislation. Staff said they will report back to the trustees on MOA/MOU options.
