The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) is seeking qualified candidates to fill vacancies on Island Burial Councils throughout the pae ʻāina.

News Release from OHA, October, 2024

Island Burial Councils are tasked with convening interested stakeholders and descendants of iwi discovered within the bounds of planned development projects. These councils ‘auamo (carry) the important kuleana of determining whether these previously identified burials must be preserved in place or relocated. The councils also make recommendations to the Department of Land and Natural Resources regarding the appropriate management, treatment and protection of iwi kūpuna.

There are five island burial councils:

Hawai‘i Island 
Maui/Lāna‘i 
Moloka‘i
O‘ahu
Kaua‘i/Ni‘ihau 

Each council consists of at least nine members (with the exception of Moloka‘i which consists of five) who represent the various moku of each island. Council membership also includes representatives of development or large landowner interests (this group gets no more than three seats on the nine-member councils, and no more than one seat on the Moloka‘i council).

Island Burial Council nominees are approved by the governor. Regional representatives are selected from the Hawaiian community based on their understanding of culture, history, burial beliefs, customs and practices of Native Hawaiians.
OHA accepts applications for all regions year-round. There are currently openings on all five Island Burial Councils.

To learn more and to submit your name for consideration >>> CLICK HERE <<<

or visit www.oha.org/burialcouncils.