Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources, to which was referred H.B. No. 2132 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to:

(1) Ensure that the Wahiawa dam is properly maintained; and

(2) Explore the potential recreational use of Lake Wilson,

by appropriating funds to acquire real property underlying Lake Wilson and appurtenant lands.

The ILWU Local 142, Dole Food Company, Inc., and the Wahiawa Community and Business Association supported this bill. Aha Kukaniloko supported the intent of this bill. The Department of Land and Natural Resources opposed this measure. The Department of Agriculture and the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center offered comments.

Your Committee recognizes the benefits that may be afforded to the people of Hawaii with the acquisition of the Lake Wilson lands. However, your Committee notes that the acquisition of these lands should be contingent upon satisfactory resolution of the structural and functional deficiencies currently afflicting the Wahiawa dam and compliance with all laws, including safety and environmental laws.

Your Committee further notes that concerns were raised regarding the State's exposure to liability even if the acquisition of lands is contingent upon compliance with all laws and regulations.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2132, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2132, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.