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HRS §201H-13

How the corporation can buy or take land

This section lets the corporation get property by negotiating, swapping land, or using eminent domain. It must follow state rules for eminent domain. Taking land over 15 acres or already used by the public needs legislative approval.

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The statute, as written — Eminent domain, exchange or use of public property

[(a)] The corporation may acquire any real property, including fixtures and improvements, or interest therein: through voluntary negotiation; through exchange of land in accordance with section 171-50, provided that the public land to be exchanged need not be of like use to that of the private land; or by the exercise of the power of eminent domain which it deems necessary by the adoption of a resolution declaring that the acquisition of the property described therein is in the public interest and required for public use. The corporation shall exercise the power of eminent domain granted by this section in the same manner and procedure as is provided by chapter 101 and otherwise in accordance with all applicable provisions of the general laws of the State; provided that condemnation of parcels greater than fifteen acres shall be subject to legislative disapproval expressed in a concurrent resolution adopted by majority vote of the senate and the house of representatives in the first regular or special session following the date of condemnation. [(b)] The corporation may acquire by the exercise of the power of eminent domain property already devoted to a public use; provided that no property belonging to any government may be acquired without its consent, and that no property belonging to a public utility corporation may be acquired without the approval of the public utilities commission, and subject to legislative disapproval expressed in a concurrent resolution adopted by majority vote of the senate and the house of representatives in the first regular or special session following the date of condemnation.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

Sections this one refers to

§171-50 Rules for trading public land for private land

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.