Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 3180 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require counties to adopt ordinances to allow buildings designed using practices, styles, customs, and materials from indigenous Hawaiian architecture.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, a Maui Councilmember, Kauahikaua & Chun/Architects, and the Haleakala Waldorf School.

Your Committees find that traditional Hawaiian architecture is becoming a rare occurrence in its native home. Much knowledge is being lost as kupuna familiar with the techniques and protocols pass away, without the opportunity to pass on their knowledge and abilities by example. Your Committees further find that the Hawaiian culture is alive, and should not be relegated to reference books.

Your Committees believe that the traditional architecture of Hawaii's original people is of great historic, artistic, and functional merit. It enriches the cultural landscape and experience of residents and visitors alike, and preserves and allows for the perpetuation of the Native Hawaiian culture.

Your Committees are concerned about a potential problem in permitting the location of the indigenous Hawaiian architecture in all zoning districts, as it may not be congruent with the architecture in special districts such as Chinatown and Haleiwa.

Your Committees have amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity and style.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs and Intergovernmental Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3180, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3180, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.