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HB 2592

RELATING TO THE MAUNA KEA STEWARDSHIP AND OVERSIGHT AUTHORITY.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Greggor Ilagan and 6 co-sponsors

Hawaii creates Mauna Kea Stewardship Authority to govern the sacred mountain, balancing astronomy research with Native Hawaiian cultural and environmental interests.

Act 053, 05/27/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1153).
#blnr #continuityofplansandadministrativerules #dlnr #leasetransfer #mksoa #maunakea #sovereignimmunity #transfer #uh #extension #reversion #transitionperiod
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Bill Summary · HB 2592

Legislative bill overview

HB 2592 establishes the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority, a new governance structure for managing the sacred mountain and its resources in Hawaii. The bill creates an institutional framework to balance scientific research, Native Hawaiian cultural interests, and environmental stewardship on the contested summit.

Why is this important

Mauna Kea has been a focal point of conflict between the University of Hawaii's astronomy program, Native Hawaiian sovereignty advocates, and environmental protection interests for decades. This bill attempts to resolve longstanding tensions by creating dedicated oversight that could either facilitate compromise or institutionalize competing claims depending on its implementation details and authority distribution.

Potential points of contention

  • Authority and control: Questions about whether this new body has meaningful power or merely advisory status; who appoints members and whether Native Hawaiians have proportional representation in decision-making
  • Scientific research vs. cultural preservation: The bill's approach to balancing the $1.3+ billion astronomy investment against Native Hawaiian sacred site protections and management priorities
  • Implementation and enforcement: Unclear mechanisms for resolving disputes between stewardship goals and existing University of Hawaii operations; questions about enforcement power and compliance requirements

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

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