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 S.B. No. 1615 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to acquire lands adjacent to the Kohala historical sites state monument.

Specifically, this measure requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to use its eminent domain powers to institute proceedings to purchase lands adjacent to the Kohala historical sites state monument. The measure also appropriates funds for the purchase.

Your Committee finds that Act 166, Session Laws of Hawaii 1992, which is codified as section 6E-38.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, aimed to preserve and protect the cluster of historical sites referred to as the Kohala historical sites state monument. Your Committee further finds that lands adjacent to the monument are necessary to provide public access to the monument as specified in Act 166. The State has not been able to acquire these adjacent lands through either a purchase or land exchange. Thus, your Committee finds that the use of eminent domain powers to purchase the adjacent lands is needed to preserve, protect, and provide public access to these historical sites.

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 S.B. No. 1615 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.