STAND. COM. REP. NO.  571-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2606

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs and Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 2606 entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to protect and preserve the North Kohala coastline from development by:

(1)  Directing the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to petition the County of Hawaii to restrict the use of certain parcels along the North Kohala coastline on the island of Hawaii which are currently classified as agricultural; and

(2)  Prohibiting the County of Hawaii from issuing any special permits or land use, subdivision, building, or other permit to allow development in the specified parcels pending the preparation, filing, and final disposition of the petition.

     The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Council Chair of the Hawaii County Council, Hawaii Audubon Society, Kamakani O Kohala Ohana, Inc., Malama Na Wahi Pana O Kohala, and several concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  A concerned individual supported this measure with amendments.  The Hawaii Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO, and a concerned individual opposed this bill.  DLNR did not support this measure.  The Department of Agriculture and the Attorney General submitted comments. 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs and Agriculture that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2606 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs and Agriculture,

____________________________ CLIFT TSUJI, Chair

____________________________ KEN ITO, Chair