STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2175

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 3063

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 3063 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DISPOSITION OF LANDS IN WAIPIO VALLEY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to make an appropriation for the purchase of land in Waipio Valley from the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

     Your Committee finds that Waipio Valley in the district of Hamakua, island of Hawaii, possesses cultural, historic, and natural resources that are of high value to the State.  These resources are central to the historic, cultural, and natural identity of the State of Hawaii, and protection and management of these resources will benefit the people of Hawaii.

     Your Committee further finds that the acquisition of privately owned lands or interests in lands in Waipio Valley would enhance public access to and permanent protection of these resources.  Your Committee also finds that active management of the resources in Waipio Valley is necessary to protect them against overuse, invasive species, and other threats to their continued existence.

     Your Committee has amended this measure on the recommendation of the Department of Land and Natural Resources by:

     (1)  Adding language to:

          (A)  Require the Department to establish a working group with designated members to develop an action plan that explores and identifies important natural, cultural, and historic resources for protection at Waipio Valley and identifies conservation options for the protection of these resources; and

          (B)  Require the working group to submit a final action plan to the Legislature prior to the 2015 Regular Session; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3063, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3063, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water and Land,

____________________________

MALAMA SOLOMON, Chair