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 relationship with the site. James Kalei Mamahoo, who identified himself as a lineal successor and kahu, told trustees the site "should not be treated or in the inventory of the State Park system," citing limits on what state park status would permit.

Testimony both supported and opposed the transfer. The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs testified in support and called for statutory title transfer and guaranteed funding from the Legislature so maintenance would not fall to OHA alone. Several speakers asked for a clear co‑stewardship model and for involvement of kupuna, kahu, lineal descendants, and existing Hawaiian societies in any management plan. Others, including some lineal descendants, said they had not been adequately consulted and asked that OHA prioritize outreach and accessible materials (for example, non‑internet options for kupuna) before any transfer moves forward.

Trustees and administration discussed the specific components of phase‑2 due diligence. Lori Walker listed items phase‑2 would seek to complete: a formal property boundary survey, a phase‑1 environmental report, a professional property condition report, zoning and land‑use and permitting reviews, title reports, natural/cultural/historical resource assessments, a review of existing agreements and contracts, insurance and litigation histories, and development and long‑term management cost projections. Walker said the findings and recommendations from phase‑2 would be presented back to the board and would be made transparent to the community.

Trustees also noted parallel legislative activity. Adame Kala Paris, first vice president of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, referenced the association's passed resolution urging transfer and cautioned that Senate Bill 4 in the Legislature could move a transfer on a separate track; trustees were advised to monitor the legislative process while completing OHA's due diligence.

Motion and status: Vice Chair Waheae moved to approve "approval to undertake due diligence phase 2 activities for proposed land transfer of Mauna'ala on O'ahu to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs." Trustee Luana Alapa seconded. The committee worked through clarifying language to make clear the motion authorized due diligence only and to ensure language consistency across the packet. Before a final roll‑call on the amended motion, the committee called a brief recess; the recorded transcript ends before a final vote was recorded. The transcript does not show a completed vote on the motion.

Concerns raised by testifiers and trustees that will need to be addressed in phase‑2 due diligence included: - A request for historical and recent financials, capital improvement (CIP) spending and 1/5/10‑year projections for ongoing operations and maintenance; testifiers asked whether DLNR or the state could provide ten years of expense data. - A demand that OHA meaningfully consult with kahu, lineal descendants, royal societies and kupuna and design a co‑stewardship model rather than unilateral management. - Worries that the site could be treated as a public park or tourist attraction without adequate protections for private cultural protocols; multiple speakers asked that rituals and private ceremonies remain protected.

What's next: If the board ultimately approves phase‑2 findings and the state pursues a transfer, further phases would hinge on how the governor and Legislature choose to effect a transfer (executive order, statute, or title conveyance). Administration said phase‑2 findings and recommendations will return to the board and would inform whether OHA pursues acceptance and what co‑stewardship and funding arrangements are required.

Ending: Trustees authorized staff to proceed with the more detailed due diligence process but did not record a final committee vote on a transfer at this meeting; public speakers urged careful consultation with lineal descendants and transparent accounting of long‑term costs before any transfer moves forward.