HB 2102 Hawaii House · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

Summary

Clarifies and expands the types of proposed projects for privately-owned residential properties that are subject to historic review. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Last action Feb 12, 2026

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What changed between versions

HB2102 → HB2102_HD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the historic preservation review process for residential properties in Hawaii to better protect ancestral remains and cultural sites. It clarifies that ground-disturbing projects in sensitive areas must undergo review and expands the list of conditions requiring approval, including new protections for lava tubes and caves. The bill also removes the exemption for 'nominally sensitive areas' and sets a future effective date of July 1, 3000.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of projects requiring historic review by adding specific geological features (lava tubes, karst features, caves) and increasing the threshold for multi-unit dwellings from four to five units.

ELIGIBILITY

Ground-disturbing activities now require review if they occur on or adjacent to lava tubes, karst features, or caves, in addition to sandy soils.

Projects containing five or more dwelling units with ground-disturbing activity deeper than existing foundations are now subject to review.

The automatic exemption for projects in 'nominally sensitive areas' has been removed, requiring review for these sites instead.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'nominally sensitive area' was updated to include areas with a low density of resources or those substantially disturbed by previous work.

TIMELINE

The bill's effective date was changed to July 1, 3000.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 12, 2026

Committee

Reported from HSG (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 222-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to WAL.

lower

Feb 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on HSG recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Evslin, Miyake, Cochran, Grandinetti, Kitagawa, La Chica, Muraoka; Ayes with reservations: none; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Pierick; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Kila.

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Committee

Referred to HSG, WAL, JHA, referral sheet 4

lower

Jan 26, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 23, 2026

Introduced

Pending introduction.

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors