THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2592
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO BURIAL SITES.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that "cultural descendant," as defined in section 13-300-2, Hawaii Administrative Rules, does not accurately capture the fuller range of relationships of individuals and ʻohana to Native Hawaiian remains, including relationships that transcend the limited boundaries of an ahupuaʻa.

Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to direct the department of land and natural resources to amend the definition of "cultural descendant" in section 13-300-2, Hawaii Administrative Rules, to better capture the actual relationships of individuals and ʻohana to burials containing Native Hawaiian remains.

SECTION 2. The department of land and natural resources shall amend the definition of "cultural descendant" in section 13-300-2, Hawaii Administrative Rules, to mean: "with respect to non-Native Hawaiian skeletal remains, a claimant recognized by the department as being the same ethnicity, or with respect to Native Hawaiian skeletal remains, a claimant recognized by the council after establishing genealogical connections to Native Hawaiian ancestors who once resided or are buried or both, in the same or neighboring ahupuaʻa, including ʻili lele, the district in which certain Native Hawaiian skeletal remains are located or originated from, or in the same moku in which Native Hawaiian skeletal remains are located or originated from, with greater deference being afforded to lineal descendants and claimants who are most closely associated with the relevant burial site."

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

DLNR; State Historic Preservation Division; Hawaii Administrative Rules; Burial Sites; Native Hawaiians

Description:

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to amend the definition of "cultural descendant", in HAR, to more accurately capture relationships between individuals and families.

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