Makes an appropriation for the purchase of Waimea valley, Oahu.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Preliminary archaeological surveys indicate that Waimea valley, Oahu, was inhabited by native Hawaiians from approximately A.D. 1100. Waimea valley was also the first place on Oahu to be visited by foreigners on February 22, 1779, when the survivors of the ill-fated Captain Cook Pacific expedition landed there, rested, and replenished their water supplies before continuing on to Kauai. It is reputed that Kamehameha recognized the importance of Waimea valley when he awarded the valley to his top spiritual advisor, Hewahewa. Since then, forty generations of kahuna nui or religiously elite Hawaiians lived in and nurtured the valley until a major flood in 1898 drove most of the valley inhabitants to safer coastline areas.

Today, the 1,875 acre valley, the only remaining intact ahupua'a on the island of Oahu, remains a rich and sacred cultural, historic, and aesthetic resource for the entire State. The bottom or makai three hundred acres of the valley contain many known cultural resources, including agricultural terraces, kauhale kahiko or ancient living sites, a heiau dedicated to Lono, the god of agriculture, weather, medicine, and peace, a hale iwi or house of bones, and a platform of large boulders believed to be the burial site of a high priest or chief. The back or mauka one thousand five hundred plus acres has yet to be surveyed to determine the extent of further cultural sites.

Waimea valley is also the home of many species of endemic and migratory avifauna, including the endemic and endangered nene or Hawaiian goose, koloa or Hawaiian duck, alae ula or Hawaiian gallinule, and the aukuu or black-crowned night heron. The valley flora includes many endemic and endangered species of native Hawaiian plants and trees, including two members of the hibiscus plant, the nearly extinct kokia cookei and the once thought extinct hibiscus brackenridgei molokaianus. As with the archaeological resources, only the makai-most portions of the valley have been properly surveyed to determine the presence of other floral treasures.

Today, the legislature finds that this vast treasure may be lost to the people of Hawaii. In 2001, in response to the threat of the possible development of the valley by its private owner, the city and county of Honolulu filed a suit to condemn the entire valley and deposited $5,200,000 in court for the acquisition. However, with the appraised value for the entire valley anticipated to be in excess of the deposited amount and the limited financial resources of the city, the private owner of the valley has proposed to the city that the front or makai three hundred acres be acquired by the city, with the remainder of the valley being subdivided into large residential lots and an area for eco-tourism activities.

Wisely, the city council recently rejected the proposal and the matter is now scheduled for a condemnation trial in February 2006 to determine the value of the entire valley. The legislature finds that it is important to the people of Hawaii to preserve and protect Waimea valley.

The purpose of this Act is to make an appropriation for the purchase of the entire Waimea valley, Oahu, comprised of 1,875 acres.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for the purpose of purchasing Waimea valley, Oahu, comprising of 1,875 acres, more or less.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.