HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1501
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to molokai ranch.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature notes that on April 5, 2008, Molokai Properties Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of GL Limited, terminated all normal operations of its various holdings and businesses on the island of Molokai, including the Molokai Lodge, Kaupoa Beach Village, Kaluakoi Golf Course, Maunaloa Town Cinemas, Maunaloa gas station, and its cattle operations, resulting in the loss of one hundred twenty jobs on the island that already has the highest unemployment rate in the State. Further, Molokai Ranch indicated that it was also denying access to most of its landholdings, which comprise approximately one-third of the entire island of Molokai, to the public who used those lands for purposes of gathering, hunting, and fishing, thereby supporting the type of subsistence lifestyle that many residents of Molokai have, by necessity, come to rely on for survival.

The legislature further notes that Molokai Ranch's property contains numerous wahi pana, places of historical and cultural value, including heiau and ceremonial sites, ancient taro loi, and loko ia, ancient Hawaiian fishponds.

The legislature therefore declares that it is in the public interest to acquire private lands currently owned by Molokai Properties Limited and GL Limited, and their successors in interest, on the island of Molokai.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Appropriate moneys for the acquisition of all of the landholdings of Molokai Properties Limited and GL Limited on the island of Molokai; and

(2) Require that any lands acquired pursuant to this Act be held in the public land trust for the betterment of native Hawaiians.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $260,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2019-2020 for the purchase of all the landholdings of Molokai Properties Limited and GL Limited on the island of Molokai; provided that these lands shall be held in trust as part of the public land trust.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2019.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Molokai Ranch; Acquisition; Public Land Trust; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates moneys for the acquisition of Molokai Ranch. Requires that lands acquired pursuant to this Act be held in the public land trust.

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