STAND. COM. REP. NO.  29

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 908

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 908 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL FOR THE DISPOSITION OF REMNANTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide the Office of Hawaiian Affairs with the right of first refusal for any disposition of public lands classified as remnants under section 171-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

The Department of Transportation, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaiian Affairs Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, and numerous individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Center for Hawaiian Sovereignty Studies and Hoomana Pono, LLC testified in opposition to this measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources commented on this measure.

Your Committee notes that concerns were raised as to whether the Office of Hawaiian Affairs is the most appropriate agency to be given the right of first refusal for remnant lands.  In addition, your Committee finds that further discussion is necessary to determine:

     (1)  Whether the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands should be incorporated into this process; and

     (2)  Whether this measure will impact the preservation of water rights.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 908 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Water & Land.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

KANIELA ING, Chair