# Hawaii HB 2592: RELATING TO THE MAUNA KEA STEWARDSHIP AND OVERSIGHT AUTHORITY.

Hawaii HB 2592, RELATING TO THE MAUNA KEA STEWARDSHIP AND OVERSIGHT AUTHORITY., is a 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2) House bill sponsored by Matthias Kusch (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-05-27 (Act 053, 05/27/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1153).) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2592-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Hawaii HB 2592
- State: Hawaii
- Session: 2025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)
- Title: RELATING TO THE MAUNA KEA STEWARDSHIP AND OVERSIGHT AUTHORITY.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: House
- Introduced: 2026-01-28
- Last action: 2026-05-27, Act 053, 05/27/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1153).
- Sponsor: Matthias Kusch (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 6
- Subjects: Mauna Kea, MKSOA, Transfer, Transition Period, Lease Transfer, BLNR, DLNR, Continuity of Plans and Administrative Rules, Sovereign Immunity, Extension, Reversion, WAL, HED, JHA, FIN
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 13 (227 yes, 22 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Part I: Clarifies the powers of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority so that it may carry out its intended duties regarding land use on Mauna Kea. Part II: Adds reversion dates of 6/30/2028 and 12/31/2029 if timelines requiring the adoption of a management plan or sending of proposed administrative rules to the Governor are not met; extends the transition period to 12/1/2029; requires the University of Hawaii to transfer the various Mauna Kea astronomical observatory conservation district use permits to the astronomical observatories; clarifies that the oversight and interest of MKSOA in the Mauna Kea lands shall be no more than the University of Hawaii's leasehold interest in the Mauna Kea lands unless otherwise agreed to by the Board of Land and Natural Resources. Part III: Provides that the existing plans and administrative rules adopted or developed by UH under which Mauna Kea is currently governed remain in effect until plans and administrative rules adopted by MKSOA take effect. Part IV: Clarifies that MKSOA has state sovereign immunity. Part V: Authorizes MKSOA to extend leases and subleases before the expiration of the transition for up to an additional ten-year term. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Matthias Kusch (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Greggor Ilagan (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Kirstin Kahaloa (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: Jeanne Kapela (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: KEOHOKAPU-LEE LOY
- Cosponsor: Nicole E. Lowen (Democratic), House
- Cosponsor: David A. Tarnas (Democratic), House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-05-06 | Senate | Senate Floor Vote | pass | 25 | 0 |   |
| 2026-05-06 | House | House Floor Vote | pass | 42 | 8 |   |
| 2026-05-01 | House | The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments.... | pass | 5 | 0 |   |
| 2026-05-01 | Senate | The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS.... | pass | 3 | 0 |   |
| 2026-04-14 | Senate | Senate Floor Vote | pass | 25 | 0 |   |
| 2026-04-09 | Senate | The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT... | pass | 5 | 0 |   |
| 2026-04-09 | Senate | The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT... | pass | 13 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-25 | Senate | The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT... | pass | 2 | 1 |   |
| 2026-03-25 | Senate | The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT... | pass | 2 | 1 |   |
| 2026-03-10 | House | House Floor Vote | pass | 43 | 7 |   |
| 2026-02-26 | House | The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ... | pass | 7 | 2 |   |
| 2026-02-18 | House | Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA... | pass | 48 | 2 |   |
| 2026-02-05 | House | The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ... | pass | 7 | 1 |   |

## Actions (57)

- 2026-05-27: Act 053, 05/27/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1153). (Senate)
- 2026-05-27: Act 053, on 05/27/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1153). (House)
- 2026-05-08: Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888). (Senate)
- 2026-05-07: Transmitted to Governor. (House)
- 2026-05-06: Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) San Buenaventura. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). (Senate)
- 2026-05-06: Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with Representative(s) Garcia, Reyes Oda voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Belatti, Cochran, Garrett, Iwamoto, Perruso, Pierick, Poepoe, Souza voting no (8) and Representative(s) Alcos excused (1). (House)
- 2026-05-06: Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816). (House)
- 2026-05-01: The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Tarnas, Kusch, Morikawa, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Garrett. (House)
- 2026-05-01: The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Rhoads, Inouye; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Kim. (Senate)
- 2026-05-01: Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 197-26) as amended in (CD 1). (House)
- 2026-05-01: Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26. (House)
- 2026-05-01: Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 197-26). (Senate)
- 2026-05-01: 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26 (Senate)
- 2026-04-30: Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 9:00AM; Conference Room 229. (Senate)
- 2026-04-29: Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-30-26 9:00AM; Conference Room 229. (Senate)
- 2026-04-28: Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-29-26 9:00AM; Conference Room 229. (Senate)
- 2026-04-27: Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-28-26 9:00AM; CR 229. (Senate)
- 2026-04-24: Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-27-26 9:00AM; CR 229. (Senate)
- 2026-04-22: Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 719). (House)
- 2026-04-21: Re-referred to WAL, HED, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 31 (House)
- 2026-04-21: House Conferees Added: Representative Garrett added as Co-Chair. (House)
- 2026-04-21: Received notice of change in conferees (Hse. Com. No. 801). (Senate)
- 2026-04-21: Senate Conferees Appointed: Lee, C. Chairs; Kim, Rhoads, Inouye Co-Chairs. (Senate)
- 2026-04-20: Re-referred to WAL, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 30 (House)
- 2026-04-20: House Conferees Appointed: Hashem, Tarnas, Kusch Co-Chairs; Morikawa, Shimizu. (House)
- 2026-04-20: Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786). (Senate)
- 2026-04-17: Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780). (Senate)
- 2026-04-16: House disagrees with Senate amendment (s). (House)
- 2026-04-14: Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) San Buenaventura. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House. (Senate)
- 2026-04-14: Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 707) in amended form (SD 2). (House)
- 2026-04-10: Reported from JDC/WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3809) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). (Senate)
- 2026-04-10: 48 Hrs. Notice 04-14-26. (Senate)
- 2026-04-09: The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) San Buenaventura ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. (Senate)
- 2026-04-09: The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. (Senate)
- 2026-04-08: The committee(s) on JDC/WAM deferred the measure until 04-09-26 10:30AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference. (Senate)
- 2026-04-06: The committee(s) on JDC/WAM will hold a public decision making on 04-08-26 10:15AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference. (Senate)
- 2026-03-30: Reported from WLA/EDU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3369) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC/WAM. (Senate)
- 2026-03-30: Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC/WAM. (Senate)
- 2026-03-25: The committee(s) on EDU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in EDU were as follows: 2 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, Hashimoto; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) DeCorte; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Kidani, Fukunaga. (Senate)
- 2026-03-25: The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WLA were as follows: 2 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Lamosao; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) DeCorte; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Inouye, Chang. (Senate)
- 2026-03-20: The committee(s) on WLA/EDU has scheduled a public hearing on 03-25-26 1:11PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference. (Senate)
- 2026-03-16: Re-Referred to WLA/EDU, JDC/WAM. (Senate)
- 2026-03-12: Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 441). (Senate)
- 2026-03-12: Passed First Reading. (Senate)
- 2026-03-12: Referred to WLA/EDU, JDC. (Senate)
- 2026-03-10: Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Alcos, Amato, Garcia, Gedeon, Matsumoto, Reyes Oda, Shimizu voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Cochran, Grandinetti, Hussey, Iwamoto, Perruso, Poepoe, Souza voting no (7) and none excused (0). Transmitted to Senate. (House)
- 2026-03-06: Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1194-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading. (House)
- 2026-03-06: Forty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 03-10-26. (House)
- 2026-02-26: The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Belatti, Hashem, Kahaloa, Sayama, Takayama; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Shimizu; 2 Noes: Representative(s) Poepoe, Garcia; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran. (House)
- 2026-02-24: Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Thursday, 02-26-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. (House)
- 2026-02-18: Reported from WAL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 464-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA. (House)
- 2026-02-18: Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran, Garcia, Gedeon, Matsumoto, Perruso, Pierick, Poepoe, Reyes Oda, Shimizu voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Muraoka, Souza voting no (2) and none excused (0). (House)
- 2026-02-05: The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Morikawa, Belatti, Ichiyama, Woodson; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Poepoe, Shimizu; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Souza; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Iwamoto. (House)
- 2026-02-03: Re-referred to WAL, JHA, referral sheet 7 (House)
- 2026-02-02: Referred to WAL, HED, JHA, referral sheet 6 (House)
- 2026-02-02: Bill scheduled to be heard by WAL on Thursday, 02-05-26 9:00AM in House conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. (House)
- 2026-01-28: Introduced and Pass First Reading. (House)

## Bill text

- Bill Text: [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2592_CD1_.pdf)
- HB2592_CD1: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2592_CD1_.HTM)
- HB2592_HD1: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2592_HD1_.HTM)
- HB2592_HD2: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2592_HD2_.HTM)
- HB2592_SD1: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2592_SD1_.HTM)
- HB2592_SD2: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2592_SD2_.HTM)
- Original: [HTML](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2592_.HTM), [PDF](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/GM1153_.PDF)

## Related bills

- SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS. (became law)
- HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES. (signed)
- HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION. (signed)
- SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING. (signed)
- HB 1973: RELATING TO HEALTH. (signed)

## Sources
- [Bill Text (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2592_CD1_.pdf)
- [HB2592_CD1 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2592_CD1_.HTM)
- [HB2592_HD1 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2592_HD1_.HTM)
- [HB2592_HD2 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2592_HD2_.HTM)
- [HB2592_SD1 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2592_SD1_.HTM)
- [HB2592_SD2 (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2592_SD2_.HTM)
- [Original (HTML)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2592_.HTM)
- [Original (PDF)](https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/GM1153_.PDF)

## Related
- [SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB847-2026)
- [HB 2344: RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2344-2026)
- [HB 2023: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2023-2026)
- [HB 2021: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2021-2026)
- [SB 2338: RELATING TO HOUSING.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-SB2338-2026)
- [HB 1973: RELATING TO HEALTH.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB1973-2026)
- [Hawaii bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii/bills)
- [Hawaii state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/hawaii)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/HI-HB2592-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).