Committee moves into executive session to consult counsel on public land trust bills; no action taken

The Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment Committee of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs met April 15, 2026, and approved the minutes from its Jan. 28, 2026, meeting by roll call. The committee then asked for and received unanimous consent to take an executive session out of order and later voted to convene behind closed doors to consult legal counsel.

"The beneficiary advocacy and empowerment committee convened in an executive meeting pursuant to HRS 92-5(a)(4) to receive updated information, consult with its legal counsel, and did not take any action," the committee clerk said after the panel returned to open session. The clerk also noted that the Sept. 7, 2025, executive session minutes were deferred.

Committee business began with roll call and a quorum announcement by the recording secretary; the chair moved to approve the Jan. 28 minutes and the motion passed by recorded "aye" votes. The chair later stated he made the motion to enter executive session; a roll call on that motion recorded eight "yes" votes and the committee moved into executive session.

According to the clerk's statement on return to open session, the executive session focused on bills identified in the 2026 Legislature concerning crown and government lands of the Hawaiian Kingdom and matters related to the public land trust. The clerk said the purpose was to receive updates and consult legal counsel and that no formal action or position was adopted during the closed session.

Members announced the meeting would continue at 1 p.m. after the Budget and Finance meeting. Public testimony was allowed on each agenda item and was limited to five minutes per speaker, the chair said at the outset.

The committee did not announce any further votes or formal directives tied to the executive session at the time it recessed. The meeting was scheduled to resume at 1 p.m.