STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1068

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   S.B. No. 1108

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1108 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to allow the Aha Kiole Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) to complete its work by:

     (1)  Extending the repeal date of the Advisory Committee from June 30, 2009, to June 30, 2011; and

     (2)  Requiring the Advisory Committee to submit reports to the Legislature prior to the 2010 and 2011 Regular Session.

     The Advisory Committee, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Ko'olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, and a concerned individual supported this bill.  The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), Kawaihapai Ohana, and several concerned individuals opposed this bill.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources submitted comments. 

     Your Committee believes that restoration of resource management in Hawaii through the Aha Moku Council System (System) would be a powerful force in strengthening and revitalizing Hawaiian culture and Hawaiian communities.  Your Committee requests OHA to actively participate in the meetings being held to initiate formation of the System and work toward alleviating concerns raised regarding whether Hawaii's communities are being properly consulted and represented in the System.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1108 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

MELE CARROLL, Chair