RELATING TO HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS.

SB3247

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

3247

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to hawaiian affairs
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

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SECTION 1.
�
The
legislature finds that the royal mausoleum, also known as Mauna
ʻ
Ala
in
ʻ
Ō
lelo Hawai
ʻ
i,
is the sacred resting place of the ali
ʻ
i of the Kamehameha
and Kal
ā
kaua dynasties
, among other
high chiefs of Hawai
ʻ
i.
�
This wahi pana holds deep cultural,
historical, and spiritual significance for Native Hawaiians and the people of
Hawai
ʻ
i.
�
Mauna
ʻ
Ala
embodies the mana of the
ali
ʻ
i and the cultural
practice of m
ā
lama iwi k
ū
puna
,
expressing the enduring respect for the ancestors who shaped Hawai
ʻ
i's
history and identity.

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Since its transfer to the department of
land and natural resources in 1967, Mauna
ʻ
Ala
has been maintained by the State.
�
However,
the legislature finds that concerns have arisen from Native Hawaiian
organizations, the Ali
ʻ
i trusts, and cultural
descendants about ensuring that all management decisions uphold traditional
protocols, respect genealogical ties, and preserve the sanctity of the site.

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The legislature believes that a permanent
body dedicated exclusively to the protection and management of Mauna
ʻ
Ala
will provide the necessary cultural guidance, policy continuity, and community
oversight to safeguard the site for future generations.

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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
establish the royal mausoleum commission under the department of land and
natural resources to ensure the respectful stewardship, preservation, and
appropriate management of the royal mausoleum, or Mauna
ʻ
Ala,
in accordance with Hawaiian cultural traditions and values.

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SECTION 2.
�

Chapter 6E, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section
to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

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"
�6E-
�
Royal mausoleum commission.
�
(a)
�

There is established a permanent commission to be known as the royal mausoleum
commission, placed within the department for administrative purposes.
�
The commission shall exercise policy‑making
authority independent of the department, except for budgetary, fiscal, and
personnel administration purposes, regarding the royal mausoleum, also known as
Mauna
ʻ
Ala.
�
For the purposes of this section, "commission"
means the royal mausoleum commission established under this section.

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(b)
�

The commission shall consist of the following voting members:

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(1)
�
One
member chosen from the organizations listed in paragraphs (4) through (9) and appointed
by the governor to serve as chairperson of the commission;

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(2)
�
One
member appointed by the president of the senate with direction from the senate
standing committee with primary jurisdiction over Hawaiian affairs;

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(3)
�
One
member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives with direction
from the house of representatives standing committee with primary jurisdiction
over Hawaiian affairs;

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(4)
�
Five
representatives of the ali
ʻ
i trusts that have
founders interred at Mauna
ʻ
Ala; one each from Kamehameha
Schools, the Lili
ʻ
uokalani Trust, the Queen's
Health Systems, the Kapi
ʻ
olani Medical Center,
and the Lunalilo Trust;

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(5)
�
Four
representatives of the royal societies; one each from the Royal Order of
Kamehameha I,
ʻ
Ahahui Ka
ʻ
ahumanu,
Hale O Na Ali
ʻ
i O Hawai
ʻ
i

ʻ
Ahahui Po
ʻ
o,
and the Daughters and Sons of Hawaiian Warriors M
āmakakaua;

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(6)
�
One representative from the Association of
Hawaiian Civic Clubs;

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(7)
�
One representative from an island burial
council;

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(8)
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Two lineal descendants of those interred at
Mauna
ʻ
Ala
that are representative of the Kamehameha dynasty and the Kalakaua dynasty, or
kahu family members whose genealogy is connected to those interred at Mauna
ʻ
Ala;
and

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(9)
�
One representative from the Daughters of
Hawai
ʻ
i;

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Members of the commission shall serve
four-year terms and may be reappointed thereafter to the commission.
�
Initial appointments shall be staggered, with
half of the members serving two-year terms to ensure continuity.
�
Members shall serve without compensation but
may be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses, including travel
expenses, incurred in the performance of their duties, subject to legislative
appropriation.

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(c)
�

The commission shall:

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(1)
�
Develop
and implement a comprehensive management plan for the protection, maintenance,
and interpretation of Mauna
ʻ
Ala, including all
crypts, vaults, chapel, structures, and the surrounding grounds;

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(2)
�
In
consultation with Native Hawaiian organizations, the ali
ʻ
i
trusts, lineal descendants, and kahu families, establish protocols governing:

���������
(A)
�
Access by visitors, researchers, and practitioners;

���������
(B)
�
Ceremonial and ritual practices;

���������
(C)
�
Curation and interment of remains; and

���������
(D)
�
Selection of the official kahu or curator of Mauna
ʻ
Ala
to ensure continuity of traditional practice;

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(3)
�
Advise
and collaborate with the department and other agencies regarding conservation,
security, infrastructure, and visitor management;

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(4)
�
Accept,
receive, and expend gifts, grants, and appropriations for purposes consistent
with this section;

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(5)
�
Engage
the public, Native Hawaiian organizations, and the ali
ʻ
i
trusts in education, outreach, and consultation regarding Mauna
ʻ
Ala;
and

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(6)
�
Submit
a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed
legislation, a summary of the condition of the site and the activities of the
commission, and financial statements, to the legislature no later than twenty
days prior to the convening of each regular session.

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(d)
�

The commission may employ an executive director and other staff exempt
from chapter 76, subject to legislative appropriation.
�
Any executive director employed under this
section shall report directly to the commission and coordinate with the
department to implement policies adopted by the commission.

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(e)
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The legislature shall appropriate sufficient funds to support the
operations of the commission, including maintenance and cultural
programming.
�
The commission may also
receive private or federal funds to further its objectives.

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(f)
�

The commission may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary to carry
out the purposes of this section, including rules relating to access,
ceremonies, maintenance, and the respectful treatment of human remains and
artifacts.

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(g)
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If any provision of this section, or the application thereof to any
person or circumstance, is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other
provisions or applications of the section that can be given effect without the
invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this
section are severable.
"

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SECTION 3.
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New statutory material is underscored.

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SECTION 4.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DLNR;
Mauna
ʻ
Ala; Royal Mausoleum Commission;
Rules; Reports

Description:

Establishes
a Royal Mausoleum Commission within the Department of Land and Natural
Resources to develop and implement policy for the preservation, operation, and
outreach of Mauna
ʻ
Ala.
�

Allows the Royal Mausoleum Commission to make rules as necessary, employ
staff, and receive private or federal funds.
�

Requires the Royal Mausoleum Commission to report annually to the
Legislature.
�
Requires the Legislature to
appropriate sufficient funds to support the Royal Mausoleum Commission.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.