STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1751

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   H.R. No. 197

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Culture & the Arts, to which was referred H.R. No. 197 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE COUNTIES TO ADOPT ORDINANCES IDENTIFYING AND PROTECTING CULTURALLY VALUABLE SITES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request each of the counties to adopt ordinances identifying and protecting culturally valuable sites.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Ahahui Siwila Hawaii O Kapolei, and the Kupuna Council of Upper Waiehu.

     Your Committee finds that there are certain valuable lands throughout the State that warrant special protection, including native Hawaiian gathering areas, areas where native Hawaiian agricultural uses are perpetuated, ancient grave sites, and lands where native Hawaiian activities are practiced.  This measure would help ensure that culturally valuable sites are identified and protected.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Adding "ancient grave sites with iwi" to the list of examples of culturally valuable lands; and

     (2)  Requesting the counties to activate and enforce existing ordinances, in addition to adopting new ordinances.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Culture & the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 197, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 197, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Culture & the Arts,

____________________________

JESSICA WOOLEY, Chair