STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2888

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2721

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 2721, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LIPOA POINT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Land and Natural Resources to implement a management plan developed by the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust for Lipoa Point on Maui and to appropriate funds for that purpose.

     Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Aha Moku Advisory Committee.

     Your Committee finds that Lipoa Point on Maui is an area rich in history and resources, including agricultural terraces, marine resources, and near shore fisheries, and is a place where traditional practitioners continue to gather resources for subsistence.  Your Committee further finds that it is necessary for this area to be properly managed to ensure protection of its resources while maintaining access for traditional practitioners, residents, and visitors.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting an appropriation amount of $1,225,000; and

     (2)  Designating that the appropriation be expended by the Department of Land and Natural Resources for costs associated with the implementation of the Lipoa Point management plan, including:

          (A)  Contracting property maintenance services;

          (B)  Three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) Conservation and Resources Enforcement Officer III positions;

          (C)  A master plan; and

          (D)  An environmental impact statement.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2721, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2721, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair