Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources

The council meeting focused on providing an update regarding the activities of the Burial Sites Working Group. Discussions centered on the working group's purpose of assessing the Burial Sites Program, the representation of community and council members within the group, the inclusion of independent legal support to address administrative rules and statutes, and concerns regarding liability and transparency. The council reviewed materials from previous working group efforts, including proposed amendments to laws and historical context of the program, to guide their participation in ongoing discussions regarding potential transitions in program responsibilities.

The council meeting focused on several key topics, including updates from the burial sites working group regarding policies and legislation. A discussion was held regarding a request for a letter of support for the repatriation of remains to a National Historic Park. Additionally, the council reviewed a burial site component of a preservation plan for an inadvertent discovery of human skeletal remains on the Hawaii Preparatory Academy campus, emphasizing preservation in place, the placement of stones as markers to avoid ground disturbance, and maintenance protocols.

The meeting included an informational briefing regarding the Navy Closure Task Force-Red Hill March 2026 update. The commission approved a delegation of authority to the Chairperson to appoint a hearing officer for surface water use permit applications and related matters in the Nā Wai ʻEhā Surface Water Management Areas. Additional discussions involved an overview of ongoing commission projects and organizational priorities, a review of tracked state legislation for the 2026 legislative session, and a status update regarding the processing of water use permit applications for the Lahaina Surface and Ground Water Management Area.

The commission reviewed and discussed a Stream Channel Alteration Permit application for the Turtle Bay Resort property, which involves maintaining drainage capacity and stream flow for new roadway access. The commission also held an executive session to consult with legal counsel regarding their powers, duties, and the scope of decision-making authority concerning permit applications.

The agenda encompasses a wide range of administrative and resource management actions. Key topics include land acquisitions and conservation grants, delegation of authority for emergency evacuation projects involving rare native invertebrates, and the rescission of prior board actions concerning abandoned government roadways. The Board will review numerous lease and permit matters, including the issuance of revocable permits, right-of-entry permits for commercial and recreational use, and consent to assign various general leases. Additionally, the Board will address multiple federally and state-funded project agreements related to aquatic resource research and monitoring, and the appointment of administrative hearing officers for the civil resource violations system.