Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources

The meeting included several agenda items before the Acting Chair called the session to order. Key actions involved the consent to a lease of lands under Governor's Executive Order No. 4734 between the Department of Human Services and Mahi‘ai Development LLC for providing housing and associated services to homeless individuals. Further actions included the issuance of a Revocable Permit to Bob's Fencing, Inc. for limited industrial uses in the Kanoelehua Industrial Area, with an amendment made to extend the permit period if necessary. The Board also approved the issuance of an Immediate Right-of-Entry to Pulehunui Industrial LLC for due diligence purposes, and the issuance of a Right-of-Entry Permit to the Department of Transportation for maintenance and repair of the Honolua Bridge. Finally, the Board voted to deny a request to consent to assign General Lease Nos. S-5565 and S-5566 from Pacific Transfer LLC to Island Demo, Inc.

The meeting focused primarily on the discussion regarding the inadvertent discovery of unidentified Native Hawaiian skeletal remains at Kelu Cave on November 4, 2025. The property owner provided background on prior archaeological assessments from 1996, 2000, and 2001 which found no remains, and noted the site was previously used as a dump. Concerns were raised regarding the potential displacement of remains due to forceful water flow and flooding inherent to the active lava tube system, especially with the rainy season approaching. The property owner requested clarity on evaluation protocols, testing (e.g., radiocarbon dating or DNA), and protective measures, suggesting relocation if preservation in place is not feasible before the next flood event. Additionally, the property owner emphasized the economic importance of the site to the Hana community and requested guidance for timely reopening once assessments are complete. Correspondence from the Hana Business Council and the President of the National Caves Association supporting the property owner's stewardship efforts were noted.

The meeting involved several significant discussions and actions. Initial discussion focused on personal anecdotes, followed by the call to order. Key procedural items included approving prior minutes with corrections regarding names, and a roll call confirmed quorum. The primary agenda item involved the Office of Hawaiian Affairs convening a working group to examine whether OHA should assume certain duties under HRS chapter 6E related to protecting 'iwi kūpuna (burial sites). The group composition, including representatives from OHA, SHIPY, island burial councils, and community representatives, was detailed. The timeline for the working group, which aims to produce a report by the following legislative session, was outlined, with monthly meetings anticipated through the following year. A motion was passed to elect a representative for the Kauaii Nihow Island Burial Council for this working group. Subsequent agenda items included communications regarding an inadvertent discovery of remains near Wip Bridge, where remains were preserved in place but ethnicity remains undetermined. Additionally, there was a discussion regarding descendency recognition and the application process for committee members, clarifying that submissions must go through the Hypers system for immediate processing.

The meeting focused heavily on the discussion and approval of lineal descendancy claim applications for Native Hawaiian human skeletal remains located at Honua Bay Aua of Honolulua Moapali (TMK2 41001006). Three specific applicants were approved individually. Subsequently, additional descendant claims (Items D through I) were grouped and approved. A significant discussion arose concerning an extension granted to an individual who abstained from voting on related matters, which some attendees viewed as detrimental to their family's claims due to perceived administrative capacity issues within the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD). Further agenda items involved recognizing cultural descendency claims for remains located at Poki Street Awa Aki Mo of Lahina (TMK245-03069), which were also approved after discussion, despite concerns about SHPD's record-keeping capacity affecting future cultural descendant approvals.

The meeting included discussions and actions related to the recognition of descendants and the protection of ancestral sites. A significant portion of the discussion centered on the recognition of an individual as a lineal descendant to a specific land parcel (TMK) which involved discussions about historical boundaries and the cemetery located there. Later, the attendees discussed the draft burial treatment plan (BTP) for a specific burial cave site in Hawaii Paradise Park. Testimony addressed the ongoing community efforts, including securing donations for walls and planting native flora, and the importance of a formal, perpetual agreement for site preservation, rather than temporary measures, especially following noted disturbances to remains. Concerns were also raised regarding proposed improvements by the homeowners association, specifically the drilling of an independent well near the burial site, and clarification was sought on its precise location relative to the burial cave.