STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2793

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 2000

                                   RE:  H.B. No. 2895
                                        H.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Labor and Environment, to which was
referred H.B. No. 2895, H.D. 1, entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
     STATEMENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require environmental
impact statements (EIS) to disclose the effects of the proposed
action on the cultural practices of the community and State and
to amend the definition of "significant effect" to include
adverse effects on cultural practices.

     Testimony in favor of this measure was received from the
Office of Environmental Quality Control, Office of Hawaiian
Affairs, Kauai Sierra Club, Kupuna Advisory Council, Kohanaiki
`Ohana, Life of the Land, Ahupua`a Action Alliance, Hawaii
Audubon Society, Hawaii Sierra Club, Association of Hawaiian
Civic Clubs, HawaiianEnvironmental Coalition, Annette's
Adventures, and three individuals.  Comments were received by the
Environmental Center.

     Your Committee finds that the state constitution, other
state laws, and the courts impose on government agencies a duty
to promote and protect cultural beliefs, practices, and resources
of native Hawaiians as well as other ethnic groups.  This measure
incorporates that duty into the EIS law.  Your Committee believes
that due consideration of the effects of human activities on
native Hawaiian culture and the exercise thereof is necessary to

 
a                                                     HB2895 HD1
                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2793
                                   Page 2


ensure the continued existence, development, and exercise of
native Hawaiian culture.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Labor and Environment that is attached to this
report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose
of H.B. No. 2895, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second
Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Labor and
                                   Environment,



                                   ______________________________
                                   BOB NAKATA, Chair

 
a                                                     HB2895 HD1