STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1328

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   S.B. No. 1853

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

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 S.B. No. 1853, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NATIVE HAWAIIANS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to establish an advisory committee to advise the Legislature in the creation of a system of best management practices, called the Aha Moku Council System, based on the indigenous resource management practices of regional boundaries using community expertise and programs and projects that improve communication, education, and training to foster understanding and practical use of knowledge to assure responsible stewardship and awareness of the interconnectedness of the components of our land and ocean. 

     The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, State Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Pearl Harbor Hawaiian Civic Club, and a concerned individual testified in support of this bill.  The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii and a concerned individual supported this measure with amendments.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources supported the intent of this bill.  The Hui Ho'omalu i ka 'Aina opposed this measure.  A concerned individual provided comments.

     Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this bill by replacing its contents with the language of H.B. No. 1948, H.D. 2.  Your Committee finds that the House version of the Aha Moku Councils concept better provides the intended grassroots support.

     In addition, your Committee has further amended this bill by:

     (1)  Changing the effective date to take effect upon its

          approval; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for style,

          clarity, and consistency.

     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 S.B. No. 1853, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1853, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

KEN ITO, Chair