Opinion ID: 1186369
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Whether Hawaiian Home Lands Constitute State Lands Under HRS ch. 343

Text: KCP/Waimana argue that HRS ch. 343 is not applicable to Hawaiian home lands because the statute does not specifically state that Hawaiian home lands are covered. Under HRS § 343-5(a) (1993), compliance with HRS ch. 343 is required for actions that: (1) Propose the use of state or county lands or the use of state or county funds, other than funds to be used for feasibility or planning studies for possible future programs or projects which the agency has not approved, adopted, or funded, or funds to be used for the acquisition of unimproved real property; provided that the agency shall consider environmental factors and available alternatives in its feasibility or planning studies; (2) Propose any use within any land classified as conservation district by the state land use commission under chapter 205; (3) Propose any use within the shoreline area as defined in section 205A-41; (4) Propose any use within any historic site as designated in the National Register or Hawaii Register as provided for in the Historic Preservation Act of 1966, Public Law 89-665, or chapter 6E; (5) Propose any use within the Waikiki area of Oahu, the boundaries of which are delineated in the land use ordinance as amended, establishing the Waikiki Special District; (6) Propose any amendments to existing county general plans where such amendment would result in designations other than agriculture, conservation, or preservation, except actions proposing any new county general plan or amendments to any existing county general plans initiated by a county; (7) Propose any reclassification of any land classified as conservation district by the state land use commission under chapter 205; and (8) Propose the construction of new, or the expansion or modification of existing helicopter facilities within the State which by way of their activities may affect any land classified as conservation district by the state land use commission under chapter 205; the shoreline area as defined in section 205A-41; or, any historic site as designated in the National Register or Hawaii Register as provided in the Historic Preservation Act of 1966, Public Law 89-665, or chapter 6E; or until the statewide historic places inventory is completed, any historic site found by a field reconnaissance of the area affected by the helicopter facility and which is under consideration for placement on the National Register or the Hawaii Register of Historic Places. KCP/Waimana argue that none of these categories apply to Hawaiian home lands. They admit that it could be argued that Hawaiian home lands are state lands under HRS § 343-5(a)(1). However, they argue that Hawaiian home lands are distinguishable from other state lands. KCP/Waimana note that Hawaiian home lands are trust lands held by the State as trustee for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. Thus, they argue, these lands should not be considered state lands subject to HRS ch. 343. KCP/Waimana are correct that the State has assumed a trust obligation regarding Hawaiian home lands and must manage and dispose of these lands in a manner consistent with its fiduciary duty to the beneficiaries. See Ahuna v. Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, 64 Haw. 327, 337-38, 640 P.2d 1161, 1168 (1982). However, KCP/Waimana overlook the significant role of the State in relation to these lands. Title to Hawaiian home lands is held by the State of Hawai`i. Section 5(b) of the Admission Act provides: [T]he United States grants to the State of Hawaii, effective upon its admission into the Union, the United States' title to all public lands and other public property, and to all lands defined as available lands by section 203 of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, as amended, within the boundaries of the State of Hawaii, title to which is held by the United States immediately prior to its admission into the Union. Admission Act of March 18, 1959, Pub.L. No. 86-3, § 5, 73 Stat. 4, reprinted in, 1 Haw. Rev.Stat. 90, 91 (1993) [hereinafter, the Admission Act will be cited as reprinted in the Hawai`i Revised Statutes]. Thus, the State acquired title to Hawaiian home lands upon entry into the Union. Furthermore, management and disposition of Hawaiian home lands is also the responsibility of the State. See Ahuna, 64 Haw. at 337, 640 P.2d at 1168. Although, in managing and disposing of the land, the State is bound by its fiduciary duty to the Native Hawaiian beneficiaries, the fact remains that both legal title and management responsibilities over the land are still in the hands of the State. Thus, it is not unreasonable to interpret the term state lands in HRS § 343-5(a)(1) as including Hawaiian home lands. Hawaiian home lands are certainly unique state lands, with special duties attached to them, but they are state lands nevertheless.