Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 2441 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to enter into land exchange negotiations with private landowners of agricultural lands in the Waialua area in order to obtain title to the lands currently used for agricultural purposes.

This measure further establishes the Waialua agricultural region subcommittee to serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation on matters relating to the management of agricultural lands.

Testimony in opposition to this measure was received from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Castle & Cooke Homes Hawaii, Inc., Kamehameha Schools, and one individual. Comments were received from the Department of the Attorney General, Agribusiness Development Corporation, and Life of the Land.

The intent of this measure is to establish a process to ensure that certain lands in the Waialua area on the island of Oahu:

Your Committee views this measure as protecting, preserving, and enhancing sustainable agriculture, particularly after the downsizing of the sugar and pineapple industries in Waialua on Oahu.

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 S.B. No. 2441 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.