STAND. COM. REP. NO. 240-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2593

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 2593 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MAUNA KEA,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Extend for a period of ten years the master lease of Mauna Kea lands that is currently scheduled to expire on December 31, 2033; and

(2) Require that all subleases of Mauna Kea lands to astronomical observatories be extended for a period of ten years.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Na Wai Hoʻola Nui Laʻau Lapaʻau Foundation; Faith Action for Community Equity; Kahua O Kakou Corporation; Green Party of Hawaiʻi; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of the Attorney General; University of Hawaiʻi System; Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority; League of Women Voters of Hawaii; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that one of the most pressing issues for the survival of astronomy on Maunakea is the need for certainty regarding future observatory leases given the impending expiration of the University of Hawaii's master lease and all of the observatory subleases in 2033. Your Committee further finds that the disinvestment by astronomical observatories has already begun and delays in long-term lease rights impede the ability of international and federal funding agencies to invest in long-term projects by the Maunakea observatories. As a result, funding for vital management functions, including maintaining access to the mauna for practitioners, the community, and the public, is jeopardized. Your Committee further finds that this measure is intended to provide some stability and certainty for the remaining astronomical observatories.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Authorizing the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority to extend existing leases and subleases for up to an additional ten-year term, rather than extending all leases and subleases through this measure;

(2) Changing its effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2593, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2593, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair