Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, Energy and Environment, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 146 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure, as received, is to request a solution to increase the recycling rates of beverage containers.

Your Committee circulated a proposed S.D. 1, entitled:

Testimony in support of the proposed S.D. 1 was received from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Trust for Public Land, Hawaiian Civic Club, Kohala Filipina Community Association, Kohala Puerto Rican Club, Kohala Historic and Cultural Preservation Group, Arakaki Store, H. Naito Store, K. Takata Store, and Union Market.

Your Committee finds that there are strong community concerns regarding the future land use in Kohala. Many community residents and organizations fear their voices will not be heard when decisions are made. They want to protect disappearing agricultural land and its lifestyle, recognize and protect historic resources and sites, preserve traditional access to the coastline and mountains, and protect Kohala from encroaching and inappropriate development.

Your Committee further finds that residents and community organizations have been active in urging the Big Island Mayor, County Council, Hawaii Planning Department, Na Ala Hele and the Board of Land and Natural Resources to preserve the Kohala coastline and mountains from subdivision and other development. Despite their efforts, development continues to take place makai of the Kawaihae-Mahukona-Hawi Road.

Your Committee supports this measure as amended, to further encourage the strong community effort to preserve the natural resources and lifestyle of one of Hawaii's last remaining relatively undeveloped areas.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Energy and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 146, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 146, S.D. 1.