STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1750-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.R. No. 169

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.R. No. 169 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE ʻAHA MOKU ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO FOLLOW ITS ADOPTED RULES OF PRACTICE, FULFILL ITS STATUTORY DUTIES, INCLUDING COMPLYING WITH THE SUNSHINE LAW, CONDUCT A PERFORMANCE REVIEW OF ITS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND ESTABLISH POLICIES TO ASSURE CONSISTENT STANDARDS OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTABILITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the ʻAha Moku Advisory Committee to follow its adopted rules of practice; fulfill its statutory duties, including complying with the Sunshine Law; conduct a performance review of its Executive Director; and establish policies to ensure consistent standards of administrative and managerial accountability.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Moana Ohana; Marine Advocates Collaborating for Sustainable Aquatic Life through Action and Discipline; Koʻolau Foundation; and six individuals.

Your Committee finds that the ʻAha Moku Advisory Committee receives annual state funding of approximately $286,300 through the Department of Land and Natural Resources and is subject to public accountability and transparency standards. Your Committee further finds that as a public advisory committee, the ʻAha Moku Advisory Committee must adhere to the Sunshine Law, which requires deliberations and decision-making to occur in properly noticed public meetings. Your Committee also finds that concerns have been raised within the Native Hawaiian community regarding the administration, representation, and transparency of the ʻAha Moku Advisory Committee and the absence of publicly available agendas, minutes, reports, and other administrative records reducing transparency and hindering public participation and oversight.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 169 and recommends that it 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