STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 1242-20
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2020
RE: H.R. No. 127
Honorable Scott K. Saiki
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirtieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2020
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.R. No. 127 entitled:
"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE BOARD OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO DISPOSE OF THE LONG-TERM WATER RIGHTS LEASES FOR HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC'S NON-CONSUMPTIVE WATER USE ALONG THE WAILUKU RIVER BY DIRECT NEGOTIATION AND PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON DETERMINING THE VALUE OF THE ANNUAL WATER LEASE RENT,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The
purpose of this measure is to urge
the Board of Land and Natural Resources to dispose of the long-term water
leases for Hawaiian Electric's non-consumptive water use along the Wailuku
River by direct negotiation and provide guidance on determining the value of
the annual water lease rent.
Your Committee finds
that although the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Revocable Permit
Task Force recommended the conversion of revocable permits to water leases by
the end of 2019, no conversion has been made at this time, and it is difficult
for the Board of Land and Natural Resources to dispose of long-term water
rights because the lease process has not yet been fully defined. Your Committee further finds that Hawaiian
Electric manages Puueo Hydro and Waiau Hydro, which are hydroelectric
generating plants along the Wailuku River; that its use of that water is
non-consumptive; and that Hawaiian Electric is the only entity qualified to bid
on a water lease to increase the capacity of Waiau Hydro. Disposing of Hawaiian Electric's
non-consumptive long-term water leases by direct negotiation and clarifying the
lease process will enable Hawaiian Electric to make necessary repairs and
upgrades to its hydroelectric facilities.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 127 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs,
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____________________________ RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair |
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