SB3247 HD3

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the royal mausoleum, also known as Mauna ʻAla in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, is the sacred resting place of the aliʻi of the Kamehameha and Kalākaua dynasties, among other high chiefs of Hawaiʻi. This wahi pana holds deep cultural, historical, and spiritual significance for Native Hawaiians and the people of Hawaiʻi. Mauna ʻAla embodies the mana of the aliʻi and the cultural practice of mālama iwi kūpuna, expressing the enduring respect for the ancestors who shaped Hawaiʻi's history and identity.

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

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

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 ʻAla, in accordance with Hawaiian cultural traditions and values.

SECTION 2. Chapter 6E, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§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 ʻAla.

(b) The commission shall include the chairperson of the board of land and natural resources, or the chairperson's designee, who shall be an ex officio, nonvoting member and who shall not serve as chairperson of the commission.

(c) The governor shall appoint the following individuals to serve as the voluntary members of the commission and shall select one person among them to serve as chairperson of the commission:

(1) One representative of the group of aliʻi trusts known as Mālama Mauna ʻAla Hui;

(2) One representative of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I;

(3) One representative of ʻAhahui Kaʻahumanu;

(4) One representative of the Daughters and Sons of Hawaiian Warriors Māmakakaua;

(5) One representative of Hale O Nā Aliʻi O Hawaiʻi;

(6) One member who is a lineal descendant of persons interred at Mauna ʻAla connected to the Kamehameha dynasty;

(7) One member who is a lineal descendant of persons interred at Mauna ʻAla connected to the Kalākaua dynasty; and

(8) One member who is a lineal descendant of High Chief Hoʻolulu and a member of the Hoʻolulu Kahu family.

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.

(d) The commission shall:

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

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

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

(B) Ceremonial and ritual practices;

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

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

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

(5) Engage the public, Native Hawaiian organizations, and the aliʻi trusts in education, outreach, and consultation regarding Mauna ʻAla; and

(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.

(e) The legislature may appropriate 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.

(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.

(g) The kahu of Mauna ʻAla shall be recognized as the individual responsible for the cultural, traditional, and spiritual care of the iwi kūpuna interred at Mauna ʻAla.

(h) 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.

(i) For the purposes of this section, "commission" means the royal mausoleum commission established under this section."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	3247
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 3