Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Transportation and Water, Land Use, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 68 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to request the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) to consider the leasing of unutilized fast and submerged lands at Keehi Lagoon for the private development of boating and ocean recreational facilities.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) testified in support of this measure. The Hawaii Boaters Political Action Association, Ala Wai Marina Board, and a concerned citizen testified in opposition to this measure.

Over the last 20 years, there has been increased demands for harbor and moorage space in small boat harbors throughout the State. Your Committees find that the long and costly process of obtaining necessary county, state, and federal permits and approvals before authorizing the lease for lands has made it difficult for prospective developers to obtain financing for their projects. The development and improvement of unused and unimproved areas of Keehi Lagoon will help to alleviate these demands, as well as generate lease rent revenues to the State.

However, your Committees understand the need to proceed with caution before commitments to long-term leases are made and that all parties who may be affected by these lease agreements should be considered prior to lease approval. Your Committees are also cognizant of the fact that some submerged lands may include ceded lands and that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs should be included as one of the stakeholders in Keehi Lagoon.

Accordingly, your Committees have amended this measure by:

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Water, Land Use, and Hawaiian Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 68, as amended herein, and recommend that it be referred to the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 68, H.D. 1.