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. 2400 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to preserve important cultural land by making an emergency appropriation of $1,600,000 to assist in the purchase of Waimea Valley, Oahu.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Department of Land and Natural Resources, a member of the City Council of the City and County of Honolulu, Waimea Arboretum & Botanical Garden, Oahu Council of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Stewards of Waimea Valley, Papa Ola Lokahi, Conservation Council for Hawaii, and several concerned individuals supported this bill. Windward Ahupuaa Alliance submitted comments.

Your Committee notes that this measure is essential in ensuring that one of the most treasured ahupua'a is protected for the benefit of future generations. The appropriation contained in this bill represents DLNR's portion of the funds necessary to purchase the land. A consortium of public and non-profit interests have agreed to purchase Waimea Valley for $14,000,000.

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. 2400 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.