Hawaii Senate Bill SCR124

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/16/26
• Refer: 3/19/26

Caption

Urging The Board Of Land And Natural Resources To Extend For A Period Of Ten Years The Leases And Subleases On Mauna Kea Lands.

Summary

SCR124 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution urging the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) to extend by ten years the existing lease or easement arrangements for Mauna Kea lands that are currently in effect and have been transferred to the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority under Act 255 (2022). The resolution also encourages BLNR, subject to the respective sublessees, to extend for ten years the subleases on Mauna Kea lands used for telescope observatories or other astronomical research purposes. The resolution is directed at the current lease structure for Mauna Kea, where the master lease and subleases are scheduled to expire on December 31, 2033. It asks that the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the University of Hawaii Board of Regents, and the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority be notified of the Legislature’s position. As a concurrent resolution, it expresses legislative intent and encouragement rather than directly changing statutory law or creating a binding legal mandate.

Impact

SCR124 does not amend the Hawaii Revised Statutes or directly alter existing lease terms by itself. Instead, it serves as a formal legislative request to BLNR to extend the Mauna Kea lease and related subleases for an additional ten years, potentially affecting the long-term occupancy and use of Mauna Kea lands by the University of Hawaii, the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority, and telescope operators or other astronomical research entities. Its practical impact would depend on subsequent action by BLNR and any affected lessees or sublessees.

Sentiment

The bill appears generally supportive of continuity for Mauna Kea’s existing land-use and astronomy arrangements. By urging extensions of both the master lease and subleases, the resolution reflects a favorable view toward maintaining the current stewardship and research framework. No committee votes or transcripts were provided, so there is no recorded formal debate or opposition in the supplied materials.

Contention

The main point of potential contention is the extension of leases on Mauna Kea lands, which can implicate competing interests in astronomy, land stewardship, and broader cultural or environmental concerns. The resolution favors extending access for telescope observatories and related research, which may be supported by the University of Hawaii and astronomy stakeholders, while others could question whether extending these arrangements is appropriate given Mauna Kea’s significance and the role of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority. Because no hearing transcripts or votes are included, specific objections or supporters are not identified in the record provided.