STAND. COM. REP. NO.  247-12

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

RE:   H.B. No. 2806

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2806 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to protect Hawaii's environment, to promote sustainability in Hawaii, and to preserve the Hawaiian culture by:

     (1)  Establishing the Aha Moku Advisory Committee within the Department of Land and Natural Resources;

     (2)  Allowing the Committee to advise the chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources on issues related to land and natural resources management through the Aha Moku System, which is a system of best practices that is based upon the indigenous resource management practices of moku (regional) boundaries, that acknowledges the natural contours of land, the specific resources located within those areas, and the methodology necessary to sustain resources and the community;

     (3)  Establishing requirements relating to the appointment, composition, and responsibilities of the Committee;

     (4)  Requiring the Committee to produce an annual report that includes a list of recommendations made by the Committee and the resulting action taken by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, and to submit that report to the Legislature and the chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources; and

     (5)  Appropriating $153,000 for the Committee's administrative costs.

The Sovereign Councils of the Hawaiian Homelands Assembly, Maunalua Hawaiian Civic Club, the Aha Moku Representative of Kauai, Oahu Council-Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Aha Moku Advisory Committee, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Koolaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, Nanakuli Hawaiian Homestead Community Association, Mokupuni O Oahu, Kewalo Hawaiian Homestead Community Association, Waianae Kai Homestead Community Association, and many individuals supported the measure.  The Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the measure with amendments.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands supported the intent of the measure.  Several concerned individuals opposed the measure.  A concerned individual offered comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that the Aha Moku Advisory Committee may hire its own executive director, rather than provide hiring advice;

     (2)  Increasing the Committee's members to nine from eight members; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     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 H.B. No. 2806, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2806, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources.

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

____________________________

FAYE HANOHANO, Chair