STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3298

                                   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 Ways and Means, 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 bill is to require that environmental
impact statements consider the effects of a proposed action on
the cultural practices of the community and State.

     Specifically, this bill amends the definition of
"environmental impact statement" to require disclosure of the
environmental effects of the proposed action on cultural
practices of the community or State.  Similarly, the definition
of "significant effect" is amended to include actions that
adversely affect the cultural practices of the community or
State.

     Your Committee finds that although the Hawaii State
Constitution and other state laws mandate the protection and
preservation of the traditional and customary rights of native
Hawaiians, the failure to require environmental impact statements
to disclose the effect of a proposed action on cultural practices
has resulted in the loss of important cultural resources.  Your
Committee believes that this measure will result in a more

 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3298
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thorough consideration of an action's potential adverse impact on
Hawaiian culture and tradition, ensuring the culture's protection
and preservation. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Ways and Means 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 Third Reading.

                                 Respectfully submitted on behalf
                                 of the members of the Committee
                                 on Ways and Means,



                                 ________________________________
                                 CAROL FUKUNAGA, Co-Chair



                                 ________________________________
                                 ANDREW LEVIN, Co-Chair

 
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