Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HB2104: Relating to Island Burial Councils.
Status: Signed into law, June 5, 2026
Establishes stipends for certain Island Burial Council members. Amends section 6E-43.5, Hawaii Revised Statues, relating to quorum and compensation.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to island burial councils.
From the enrolled text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ISLAND BURIAL COUNCILS. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the protection of iwi kupuna (ancestral remains) is a matter of utmost cultural and historical importance. Island burial councils play a critical role in safeguarding burial sites and advising the department of land and natural resources in decisions affecting Native Hawaiian ancestral remains. However, the effectiveness of the councils has been limited by persistent vacancies, uncompensated service, and insufficient staff support. These challenges are particularly severe on less populated islands, where councils often fail to meet quorum, preventing lineal and cultural descendants from having a meaningful voice in decisions about the treatment of iwi kupuna and exercising their right to self-determination. Council members are further required to attend lengthy meetings and engage in consultations for inadvertent discoveries within their moku (region), adding to these constraints. 2026--3455 HB2104 CD1 HMSO H.B. NO. ~ Page2 C.D. The legislature further finds that these constraints undermine the councils' capacity to fulfill their statutory responsibilities, delay decision-making, and frustrate Native Hawaiian families and communities who seek the respectful treatment of iwi kupuna. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to strengthen the island burial councils by: (1) Extending the time to fill vacancies that occur during a council member's term; (2) Providing per diem compensation in the form of …
Sponsors
- Nadine Nakamura (D, 15) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Act 096, on 06/05/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1196).
- : Act 096, 06/05/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1196).
- : Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
- : Transmitted to Governor.
- : Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
- : Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
- : Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
- : 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
- : Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 173-26).
- : Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
Votes
- Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1) (May 6, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0) (May 6, 2026): 51 yea, 0 nay, passed
- none. (April 30, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Conference Committee Vote (April 30, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading (April 10, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- WAM: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (April 7, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Island Burial Councils, Rules, DLNR
Common questions
- What is HB2104?
- HB2104 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Island Burial Councils.
- What does HB2104 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to island burial councils.
- What is the status of HB2104?
- Signed into law as of June 5, 2026. Latest action: Act 096, on 06/05/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1196). (June 5, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2104?
- Nadine Nakamura (D, 15).
- Where is the official record for HB2104?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2104&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.