STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1341

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   H.C.R. No. 245

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 245 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS TO RELEASE PASTORAL AND AGRICULTURAL LEASES TO ITS BENEFICIARIES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to urge the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (DHHL) to release pastoral and agricultural leases to its beneficiaries.

     DHHL supported this measure.  Several concerned individuals submitted comments.

     Your Committees note that a concerned individual testifying during the public hearing indicated that evaluators under contract to DHHL to assess the individual's application for a DHHL lease had apparently denied the lease to the individual.  According to this individual's testimony, the decision was appealed in the circuit court and the judge agreed with the individual's appeal.  However, your Committees note that DHHL testified that litigation is still ongoing. 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 245 and recommend that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________ FAYE HANOHANO, Chair

____________________________ CLIFT TSUJI, Chair