Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2493, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to allow a homestead lessee, who is at least one-quarter Hawaiian, to transfer the leasehold interest in the tract to a brother or sister who is at least one-quarter Hawaiian.

Your Committee received testimony in favor of the measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Your Committee finds that section 208(5) of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act currently allows a homestead lessee to transfer the leasehold interest in the tract to a husband, wife, child, or grandchild who is at least one-quarter Hawaiian (qualified relatives of the lessee). The measure would authorize a qualified relative of the lessee, with the approval of DHHL, to transfer the lease to a brother or sister who is at least one-quarter Hawaiian. Your Committee believes that the measure is a positive change that will help ensure that the homestead lease remains in the family of the original lessee.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2493, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.