Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2974 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to extend the time allowed to acquire land to be designated as part of the proposed South Kona Wilderness Area.

Your Committee finds that the South Kona Wilderness Area was established pursuant to Act 59, Session Laws of Hawaii 2003, to preserve the visual, cultural, and historic aspects of South Kona. The South Kona Wilderness Area would preserve extensive archaelogical sites, preserve and protect Hawaiian plants and animals, provide a wilderness area with minimal manmade structures, permit limited recreational activities, and prevent development. This measure allows the State an extension of one year to ensure that all lands warranting inclusion in the South Kona Wilderness Area are considered and reviewed accordingly.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion.

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 H.B. No. 2974, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2974, S.D. 1.