Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HB2218: Relating to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Status: Signed into law, July 9, 2026
Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to enter into community co-management agreements and establishes qualifications for eligible community co-managers. Authorizes the disposition of public lands by a community co-management agreement.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to the department of land and natural resources.
From the enrolled text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that providing explicit authority to the board of land and natural resources to enter into community co-management agreements honors the Native Hawaiian concepts of malama ama and ahupuaa--based management, promoting more effective stewardship of public trust resources for present and future generations. The legislature further finds that grassroots communities across the State, including Haena, Pupukea, Moomomi, Kipahulu, Hookena, Kaupulehu, and Kealakekua, have spent decades collaborating with government agencies to care for wahi pana and surrounding resources. These efforts would be more effective and sustainable if supported by long-term community co-management agreements. Although community--government partnerships exist through curatorships, revocable permits, and concession agreements, the lack of statutory authority and a formalized process limits their effectiveness. For example, the Hui Makaa±nana o Makana 2026--3489 HB2218 CD1 HMSO H.B. NO. ~ Page2 C.D. has worked since 1998 to steward Haena state park and perpetuate ike kupuna. The board of land and natural resources approved entering into a concession agreement, yet has not secured a long-term co--management agreement with the Hui. Other amabased organizations face similar challenges. Community-based co-management has also been successful in fisheries through the community-based subsistence fishing area framework. Communities in Haena, Milolii, Kipahulu, and Kealakekua have established community-based subsistence fishing areas, …
Sponsors
- Nadine Nakamura (D, 15) · primary sponsor
- Linda Ichiyama (D, 31)
- Kirstin Kahaloa (D, 6)
- Lisa Kitagawa (D, 48)
- Tyson Miyake (D, 10)
- Daynette Morikawa (D, HD-017)
- Amy Perruso (D, 46)
- Sean Quinlan (D, 47)
Latest actions
- : Act 203, on 07/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1305).
- : Act 203, 07/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1305).
- : 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 Representative(s) Cochran 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. 171-26).
- : 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 Representative(s) Cochran voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0) (May 6, 2026): 51 yea, 0 nay, passed
- none. (April 30, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Conference Committee Vote (April 30, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2) (April 14, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- WAM: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (April 7, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Rules, Counties, The Department Of Land And Natural Resources, DLNR
Common questions
- What is HB2218?
- HB2218 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
- What does HB2218 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to the department of land and natural resources.
- What is the status of HB2218?
- Signed into law as of July 9, 2026. Latest action: Act 203, on 07/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1305). (July 9, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2218?
- Nadine Nakamura (D, 15), with 7 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2218?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2218&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.