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HRS §6E-7

State ownership of historic property

This section says the State owns historic property on State land or water. The department manages it and can allow research or disposal with conditions. Known burial sites are held in trust for descendants. The State cannot transfer historic property, aviation artifacts, or burial sites without following certain rules.

state agencies

The statute, as written — State title to historic property

(a) All historic property located on lands or under waters owned or controlled by the State shall be the property of the State. The control and management of the historic property shall be vested in the department. (b) The department may dispose of the historic property subject to chapter 171 and subject further to those reservations, restrictions, covenants, or conditions which relate to the preservation of the historic property, such as rights of access, public visitation, operation, maintenance, restoration, and repair. The department shall determine the conditions for any research affecting the historic property and may issue permits for the research. (c) The State shall hold known burial sites located on lands or under waters owned or controlled by the State in trust for preservation or proper disposition by the lineal or cultural descendants. (d) The State shall not transfer any historic property or aviation artifact under its jurisdiction without the concurrence of the department, and shall not transfer any burial site under its jurisdiction without consulting the appropriate island burial council.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

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