STAND. COM. REP. NO.  580

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 1737

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1737 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LAND USE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to protect from development and preserve the distinctive geographic features of the puu of Waimea, by directing the Office of Planning to prepare and file a petition with the Land Use Commission to reclassify this parcel from agricultural to conservation, as soon as practicable.  This bill also prohibits the County of Hawaii from allowing the use of this parcel for anything other than a pasture pending the preparation, filing, and final disposition of this land use petition.

     The Office of Hawaiian Affairs and a large number of concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  The Office of Planning opposed this measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources provided comments. 

     Your Committee notes that a concern was raised that while reclassification from agricultural to conservation may prevent subdivision of the parcel, the agricultural classification may provide more flexibility in terms of management.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1737 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

KEN ITO, Chair