Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Media, Arts, Science, and Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 2670 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the knowing violation of the conditions set forth in an approved mitigation plan for historic properties that includes monitoring and preservation plans.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Malama Kukuiokane, Hawaiian Island Productions, and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that private landowners often agree to plans to preserve significant cultural and historic sites as recommended by the DLNR's Historic Preservation Division, as a means of obtaining the required building permits from the county. Once a preservation or mitigation plan is accepted and approved by the permitting agency, and subdivisions are developed, there is little incentive to follow through with agreements on the plans. This measure provides the DLNR with a modicum of enforcement power to address a serious cultural threat.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Media, Arts, Science, and Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2670 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.