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.B. No. 179, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to purchase a 1.24-acre parcel of sacred native Hawaiian grounds to link Keolonahihi State Park and Keakealaniwahine Complex.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Mayor of Hawai`i County, Kamehameha Schools, Ka Lahui Hawai`i Political Action Committee, and a cultural advisor from the Kaha region of North Kona. The Board of Land and Natural Resources submitted testimony supporting the intent of the measure.

Your Committee finds that the cultural significance of this plot of land warrants preservation of the area as a unit. Kaluaokalani is one of the most sacred intact sites in Hawai`i, and its integrity is threatened by development. The preservation of this 1.24-acre parcel may encourage other adjacent property owners to donate significant cultural sites for inclusion into the State Park.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 179, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.