Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 68, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to allow for an exploration of possible leases of unused fast and submerged lands at Keehi Lagoon for the private development of harbor facilities.

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR). Testimony in opposition to the measure was submitted by the Hawaii Government Employees Association (HGEA) and Hawaii's Thousand Friends.

Your Committee finds that this exploratory measure is only a first step in the possible privatization of Keehi Lagoon's fast and submerged lands. This measure does not meet the requirements of Section 171-53, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for a Concurrent Resolution to allow privatization of submerged and tidal lands.

Your Committee also finds that HGEA has concerns about privatizing submerged and tidal lands for boating and ocean recreational facilities. HGEA would prefer that the BLNR allow for private development of the fast lands at Keehi Lagoon, under Act 299, Session Laws of Hawaii 2001, but retain administrative control over the submerged and tidal lands. Because this is an exploratory measure, however, your Committee believes that the requested feasibility study will allow the BLNR to proceed with the necessary caution and meet with all stakeholders and registered users of Keehi Lagoon.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 68, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.