HB 2218HawaiiProcess complete

Land board could share public resource management with local nonprofits

Qualified nonprofit community groups could share land management with the state under written agreements, if the board approves their plans and listed purposes.

What it does

The land board could make written agreements with qualified nonprofit community groups to share management of public resources for listed purposes, including protecting cultural sites and managing visitors.

The board could use a community co-management agreement when disposing of public land, subject to other laws and a five-year bar after certain past grants were canceled for breaking their terms.

Argument forCommunity groups could bring local knowledge to caring for public resources, with written plans setting duties and ways to check progress.

Argument againstThe application and planning requirements could make it harder for smaller community groups to qualify, especially when they have limited staff or experience.

More detail

The board may make written agreements with qualified nonprofit community groups to share management duties and rights to enter and use an area. An agreement covers a defined area under the Department of Land and Natural Resources' authority and may involve one or more community groups. Agreements must serve one or more listed purposes, such as protecting cultural or natural resources, managing visitors, or teaching about the land. The board considers a group's mission, experience, proposed area, and management plan when deciding whether it qualifies. An agreement could last up to 65 years.

The board may use a community co-management agreement when disposing of public land. This provision covers public lands and lists a community co-management agreement alongside other ways to dispose of land. Other laws and public-land rules still apply. A person whose covered public-land grant was canceled for failing to meet its terms during the previous five years cannot receive a new one. The five-year lookback runs from the date of the new disposition.

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More on this bill

Where it stands

IntroducedJan 26
Passed HouseMar 10
Passed SenateApr 14
To Governor
Became LawJul 9

Looking ahead

No hearings or votes scheduled.

History

2026
1. Jul 9Act 203, 07/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1305).Latest
2. Jul 9Act 203, on 07/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1305).Became Law
3. May 8Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).Minor
4. May 7Transmitted to Governor.
5. May 6Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.Major
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1. Result: pass.Lower
6. May 6Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with Representative(s) Cochran voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).Major
7. May 6Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).Minor
8. May 1Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 171-26) as amended in (CD 1).
9. May 1Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
10. May 1Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 171-26).
11. May 148 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
12. Apr 30The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Morikawa, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
  - Vote recorded The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
13. Apr 30The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Moriwaki, Chang; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
14. Apr 29Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-30-26 9:00AM; Conference Room 229.
15. Apr 28Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-29-26 9:00AM; Conference Room 229.
16. Apr 27Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-28-26 9:00AM; CR 229.
17. Apr 24Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-27-26 9:00AM; CR 229.
18. Apr 21Senate Conferees Appointed: Lee, C. Chairs; Moriwaki Co-Chair; Chang.
19. Apr 21Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 717).Minor
20. Apr 20House Conferees Appointed: Hashem, Morikawa Co-Chairs; Souza.
21. Apr 20Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786).Minor
22. Apr 17Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780).Minor
23. Apr 16House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).Minor
24. Apr 14Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.Passed Senate
  - Vote recorded Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Result: pass.Upper
25. Apr 14Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 665) in amended form (SD 2).
26. Apr 9Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3689) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
27. Apr 948 Hrs. Notice 04-14-26.
28. Apr 7The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lee, C..Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
29. Apr 2The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 04-07-26 10:31AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
30. Mar 30Reported from WLA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3253) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
31. Mar 30Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.Minor
32. Mar 23The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WLA were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Chang, Lamosao, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
33. Mar 20The committee(s) on WLA has scheduled a public hearing on 03-23-26 1:05PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
34. Mar 12Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 382).Minor
35. Mar 12Passed First Reading.Minor
36. Mar 12Referred to WLA, WAM.Minor
37. Mar 10Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Kong, Pierick excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.Passed House
  - Vote recorded Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2. Result: pass.Lower
38. Mar 6Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1077-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading.
39. Mar 6Forty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 03-10-26.
40. Feb 23The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 16 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
41. Feb 19Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Monday, 02-23-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
42. Feb 18Reported from WAL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 458-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
  - Vote recorded Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN. Result: pass.Lower
43. Feb 18Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).Minor
44. Feb 10The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Morikawa, Belatti, Ichiyama, Iwamoto, Poepoe, Woodson, Shimizu, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
45. Feb 6Bill scheduled to be heard by WAL on Tuesday, 02-10-26 9:00AM in House conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
46. Jan 30Referred to WAL, FIN, referral sheet 5Minor
47. Jan 28Introduced and Pass First Reading.Minor
48. Jan 26Pending introduction.Introduced

Environment & EnergyGovernment & Ethics

Issue with this bill?

HB 2218HawaiiProcess complete

Land board could share public resource management with local nonprofits

Qualified nonprofit community groups could share land management with the state under written agreements, if the board approves their plans and listed purposes.

What it does

The board could use a community co-management agreement when disposing of public land, subject to other laws and a five-year bar after certain past grants were canceled for breaking their terms.

Argument forCommunity groups could bring local knowledge to caring for public resources, with written plans setting duties and ways to check progress.

Argument againstThe application and planning requirements could make it harder for smaller community groups to qualify, especially when they have limited staff or experience.

More detail

Where do you stand?

Tell your reps

Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.

More on this bill

Where it stands

IntroducedJan 26
Passed HouseMar 10
Passed SenateApr 14
To Governor
Became LawJul 9

Looking ahead

No hearings or votes scheduled.

History

2026
1. Jul 9Act 203, 07/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1305).Latest
2. Jul 9Act 203, on 07/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1305).Became Law
3. May 8Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).Minor
4. May 7Transmitted to Governor.
5. May 6Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.Major
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1. Result: pass.Lower
6. May 6Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with Representative(s) Cochran voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).Major
7. May 6Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).Minor
8. May 1Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 171-26) as amended in (CD 1).
9. May 1Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
10. May 1Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 171-26).
11. May 148 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
12. Apr 30The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Morikawa, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
  - Vote recorded The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
13. Apr 30The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Moriwaki, Chang; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
14. Apr 29Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-30-26 9:00AM; Conference Room 229.
15. Apr 28Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-29-26 9:00AM; Conference Room 229.
16. Apr 27Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-28-26 9:00AM; CR 229.
17. Apr 24Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-27-26 9:00AM; CR 229.
18. Apr 21Senate Conferees Appointed: Lee, C. Chairs; Moriwaki Co-Chair; Chang.
19. Apr 21Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 717).Minor
20. Apr 20House Conferees Appointed: Hashem, Morikawa Co-Chairs; Souza.
21. Apr 20Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786).Minor
22. Apr 17Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780).Minor
23. Apr 16House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).Minor
24. Apr 14Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.Passed Senate
  - Vote recorded Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Result: pass.Upper
25. Apr 14Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 665) in amended form (SD 2).
26. Apr 9Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3689) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
27. Apr 948 Hrs. Notice 04-14-26.
28. Apr 7The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lee, C..Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
29. Apr 2The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 04-07-26 10:31AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
30. Mar 30Reported from WLA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3253) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
31. Mar 30Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.Minor
32. Mar 23The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WLA were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Chang, Lamosao, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
33. Mar 20The committee(s) on WLA has scheduled a public hearing on 03-23-26 1:05PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
34. Mar 12Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 382).Minor
35. Mar 12Passed First Reading.Minor
36. Mar 12Referred to WLA, WAM.Minor
37. Mar 10Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Kong, Pierick excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.Passed House
  - Vote recorded Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2. Result: pass.Lower
38. Mar 6Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1077-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading.
39. Mar 6Forty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 03-10-26.
40. Feb 23The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 16 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
41. Feb 19Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Monday, 02-23-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
42. Feb 18Reported from WAL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 458-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
  - Vote recorded Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN. Result: pass.Lower
43. Feb 18Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).Minor
44. Feb 10The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Morikawa, Belatti, Ichiyama, Iwamoto, Poepoe, Woodson, Shimizu, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
45. Feb 6Bill scheduled to be heard by WAL on Tuesday, 02-10-26 9:00AM in House conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
46. Jan 30Referred to WAL, FIN, referral sheet 5Minor
47. Jan 28Introduced and Pass First Reading.Minor
48. Jan 26Pending introduction.Introduced

Environment & EnergyGovernment & Ethics

Issue with this bill?

What it does

Where do you stand?

Choose your position

Tell your reps

More on this bill

Where it stands

Looking ahead

History

What it does

Where do you stand?

Choose your position

Tell your reps

More on this bill

Where it stands

Looking ahead

History