Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1793, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to direct the Department of Land and Natural Resources to negotiate with the George Galbraith Estate a land exchange involving private agricultural lands north of Wahiawa at Poamoho, Oahu.

Your Committee finds that this land exchange is in the public interest for a variety of reasons. First, the State would be in a better position to preserve those lands for agriculture. The Galbraith lands at Poamoho are among the most productive on Oahu and well-suited for agricultural pursuits.

Second, the Galbraith lands include submerged lands beneath Lake Wilson. The State's ownership and management of these lands would include the protection of water from Lake Wilson and may be offered for agricultural irrigation at a more affordable price.

Last, the land exchange could help preserve rental housing for sixty families living in Poamoho Camp. About ninety-five per cent of the tenants are employees of Del Monte and the rest are retirees of the company. It is an established community with nowhere to turn for affordable housing when Del Monte's lease expires.

For these reasons, your Committee finds that the Galbraith land exchange is of great importance for agriculture, water protection, and community stability.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1793, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.