Appropriates funds for lessees of Maunalaha Valley for infrastructure improvements, to be matched by OHA. (SD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that many families of Hawaiian ancestry living in the Maunalaha region of Makiki Heights have been living in the area for a very long time, some since the Great Mahele. Act 225, Session Laws of Hawaii 1981, authorized the department of land and natural resources to negotiate and enter into long-term residential leases with residents who met certain specified criteria. When the leases were offered in 1983, however, only thirty leases were executed and only a few lessees have been able to construct new homes.

The remaining lessees of Maunalaha live in substandard housing, and have not been able to upgrade or rebuild their homes since they are unable to qualify for loans due to substandard infrastructure and because they do not own the land.

The purpose of this Act is to provide necessary funds for the lessees of Maunalaha Valley for infrastructure improvements to bring the subdivision up to health and safety standards.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $680,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002, to establish the infrastructure for the residents of the Maunalaha subdivision, to be matched by the office of Hawaiian affairs.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.