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Bill

Bill

SB 654

RELATING TO LAND LEASES.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kurt Fevella

Hawaii bill SB 654 addresses land lease policies; referred to Hawaiian Affairs and budget committees but removed from hearing and carried over to 2026 session.

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
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Bill Summary · SB 654

Legislative bill overview

SB 654 relates to land leases in Hawaii but specific provisions are not publicly detailed in the available documentation. The bill was introduced by Senator Kurt Fevella and referred to the Hawaiian Affairs and Water (HWN) and Ways and Means (WAM) committees for consideration during the 2025 legislative session.

Why is this important

Land lease policy in Hawaii carries significant weight given the state's unique history of land ownership, Native Hawaiian land rights, and the economic implications for residents and businesses. The referral to both Hawaiian Affairs and budgetary committees suggests the bill may address both cultural/governance and fiscal dimensions of lease arrangements.

Potential points of contention

  • Limited transparency: The bill's specific language and provisions are not accessible in public summaries, making it difficult to assess stakeholder impacts without full text review
  • Committee withdrawal: The sudden deletion from the January 28 public hearing (after being scheduled) suggests potential internal disagreements or need for revision
  • Hawaiian Affairs intersection: Any land lease reform intersects with Native Hawaiian sovereignty and land trust issues, historically contentious topics in Hawaii politics

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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