Community Co-management of Public Lands Authorization
Hawaii Legislative Events
Summary
The Hawaii House of Representatives passed HB2218, authorizing the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to enter into community co-management agreements for public lands. The bill establishes qualifications for eligible community co-managers and authorizes the disposition of public lands through these agreements. Multiple House and Senate committees reviewed and passed the measure with amendments through the 2026 legislative session.
What changed
HB2218 creates a new statutory framework authorizing DLNR to establish community co-management agreements for state public lands. The bill defines eligibility criteria for community co-managers and permits the disposition of public lands through these cooperative arrangements. Multiple amendments were incorporated through committee review in both chambers before final passage.
This legislation fundamentally reshapes public land management in Hawaii by creating a pathway for direct community involvement in land stewardship. Affected parties including community organizations, agricultural enterprises, and indigenous groups should evaluate potential eligibility for co-management designation. DLNR will need to develop implementing procedures and eligibility standards for community co-management agreements.
What to do next
- Monitor for governor's signature and final enactment
- Review existing public land management practices for co-management opportunities
- Identify eligible community organizations and prepare qualification documentation
Archived snapshot
Apr 8, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
ChangeBridge / Hawaii / HB2218 Passed HB2218 House Bill Passed 2026-03-10
Relating To The Department Of Land And Natural Resources.
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. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)
Bill Details
State Hawaii
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber House
Official Source www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_ind...
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Sponsors
Nadine Nakamura (Rep - D) Linda Ichiyama (Rep - D) Kirstin Kahaloa (Rep - D) Lisa Kitagawa (Rep - D) Tyson Miyake (Rep - D) Daynette Morikawa (Rep - D) Amy Perruso (Rep - D) Sean Quinlan (Rep - D)
Action History
2026-04-07 S The 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.. 2026-04-02 S The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 04-07-26 10:31AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference. 2026-03-30 S Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. 2026-03-30 S Reported from WLA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3253) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. 2026-03-23 S The 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. 2026-03-20 S The committee(s) on WLA has scheduled a public hearing on 03-23-26 1:05PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference. 2026-03-12 S Referred to WLA, WAM. 2026-03-12 S Passed First Reading. 2026-03-12 S Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 382). 2026-03-10 H Passed 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. 2026-03-06 H Forty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 03-10-26. 2026-03-06 H Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1077-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading. 2026-02-23 H The 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. 2026-02-19 H Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Monday, 02-23-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. 2026-02-18 H Passed 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). 2026-02-18 H Reported from WAL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 458-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN. 2026-02-10 H The 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. 2026-02-06 H Bill scheduled to be heard by WAL on Tuesday, 02-10-26 9:00AM in House conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. 2026-01-30 H Referred to WAL, FIN, referral sheet 5 2026-01-28 H Introduced and Pass First Reading. 2026-01-26 H Pending introduction.
Votes
2026-03-23 Senate Water, Land, and Agriculture: Passed, With Amendments Yea: 5 Nay: 0 2026-04-07 Senate Ways and Means: Passed, With Amendments Yea: 12 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2026-01-30 H Water & Land 2026-02-18 H Finance 2026-03-12 S Water, Land, and Agriculture 2026-03-30 S Ways and Means
Bill Text Versions
2026-01-26 Introduced 2026-02-18 Amended 2026-03-06 Amended 2026-03-25 Amended
Subjects
DLNR Community Co-Management Agreements Public Lands Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
Named provisions
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