OHA committee moves to pursue phase‑2 due diligence for proposed Mauna'ala transfer after extensive public testimony

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs Committee on Investments and Land Management on Jan. 22 heard extensive public testimony and deliberation about a proposed transfer of Mauna'ala (the Royal Mausoleum) on O'ahu to OHA and moved to authorize a deeper, phase‑2 due diligence process to gather financial, legal and cultural information.

The item before trustees, ILM 25‑02, asked administration to complete phase‑2 due diligence and to coordinate with state officials on a potential land transfer of Mauna'ala to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Administration staff clarified for trustees that the action before the committee at this meeting was to authorize and fund the deeper due diligence only, not to accept or close any transfer. "The ask in today's action item is to proceed with deep diving deeper into this finding out this information," said Lori Walker (interim director of land assets), who outlined the phase‑2 scope.

Members of the public spoke in large numbers. Testimony included kin and lineal descendants, Hawaiian civic clubs, cultural groups and advocates. Several lineal descendants and kahu emphasized that Mauna'ala is sacred and urged that stewardship remain aligned with royal family lineages and cultural protocols. "This is a sacred and hallowed place," said Colleen Ayu, who described a decades‑long family…