SB1040

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1040
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to the island of kaho‘olawe.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Act 340, Session Laws of Hawaii, 1993, mandates that the island of Kaho‘olawe be reserved in perpetuity for uses such as the preservation and practice of rights customarily and traditionally exercised by native Hawaiians for cultural, spiritual, and subsistence purposes; the preservation and protection of the island's archaeological, historical, and environmental resources; and education. The Kaho‘olawe island reserve commission plans to establish kahua kauhale or culture and education centers, operations facilities, overnight campsites, restoration areas, and cultural and wildlife preserves on the island.

Concerns have emerged regarding whether appropriate power sources and adequate fuel supplies exist to successfully maintain planned facilities and operations because Kaho‘olawe is geographically and logistically isolated from the other Hawaiian islands.

The use of alternative energy resources for the island's power needs is advisable and in keeping with the Kaho‘olawe island reserve commission's mandate and vision to restore, preserve, and maintain a pristine natural environment on the island. Kaho‘olawe can serve as a model project for sustainability and alternative energy research and application. The state planning act, chapter 226, Hawaii Revised Statutes, identifies increased energy self‑sufficiency as one of the State's energy objectives.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to:

(1) Design, plan, and install renewable energy systems for a model kahua kauhale that will:

(A) Support large group or longer‑term visits to the island to introduce visitors to the island and for apprenticeship, project specific uses, and restorative activities;

(B) Serve as a model to determine energy and logistical requirements of future kahua kauhale; and

(2) Enable ongoing evaluation of alternative energy applications to support the future vision and activities for the island of Kaho‘olawe.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009, for the following purposes:

(1) $800,000 for the design, purchase, and installation of renewable energy systems and the costs of transporting related equipment for a kahua kauhale (educational and cultural center and work camp) that will be used as a model encampment on the island of Kaho‘olawe; and

(2) The ongoing evaluation of long‑term alternative energy applications to support the future vision and historical, cultural, archeological, and restorative activities for the island of Kaho‘olawe, including an evaluation of the feasibility of using renewable resource options for pumping of fresh water, desalinization, ice production, and fuel for vehicles.

SECTION 3. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the Kaho‘olawe island reserve commission for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________