THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	136
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the office of hawaiian affairs to assess its readiness and ability to assume stewardship of the sacred hawaiian grounds of mauna ala.

 

 

     WHEREAS, the Royal Mausoleum of Hawaii, was established in 1865 as the final resting place for the ruling monarchs of the Kingdom of Hawaii, their families, and close advisors; and

 

     WHEREAS, from the evening of October 12, 1865, when eighteen royal caskets were removed from their tomb at Pohukaina and, in a formal procession, interred at the Royal Mausoleum, the ruling ali i and their families have been interred there; and

 

     WHEREAS, the care and maintenance of Mauna Ala has been the kuleana of the State through the State Parks Division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Royal Societies, Kamehameha Schools and its students, and other community groups have been committed to contributing to the upkeep of Mauna Ala; and

 

     WHEREAS, concerns regarding stewardship and governance of Mauna Ala were raised after ceremonies conducted at the Royal Mausoleum were disallowed despite longstanding traditions; and

 

     WHEREAS, additional concerns have been raised regarding the proposal to transfer the lands of Mauna Ala from the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; and

 

     WHEREAS, more transparency is needed as little information regarding the proposed transfer was made available to Native Hawaiians and the general public; and

 

     WHEREAS, certain organizations have expressed significant opposition to S.B. No. 4 (2025), highlighting their distrust of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and their dissatisfaction with the Department of Land and Natural Resources' current shortfalls in its care of the sacred grounds; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is requested to conduct a study assessing its readiness and ability to assume stewardship of the sacred Hawaiian grounds of Mauna Ala; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is requested to develop educational programs to educate the public in the history and cultural significance of Mauna  Ala; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to draft guidelines of stewardship that integrate the collective Hawaiian  ike to ensure that traditional cultural kuleana practices inform the Department's stewardship practices; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

DLNR; OHA; Mauna Ala; Royal Mausoleum