STAND. COM. REP. NO.  738

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2021

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1028

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1028 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE KOKEE STATE PARK ADVISORY COUNCIL,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to repeal the Kokee State Park Advisory Council.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

 

Your Committee finds that the Kokee State Park Advisory Council is tasked with reviewing and assisting in updating, revising, and implementing the Kokee State Park Master Plan; advising and assisting in the management of the Kokee recreational cabin leases; enhancing community education and cultural awareness of Kokee State Park; and participating in the protection and preservation of Kokee State Park's natural and cultural resources.  Your Committee further finds that the Kokee State Park Advisory Council's work led to the development and completion of the Kokee/Waimea Canyon Final Master Plan and Environmental Impact Statement in 2015.  Your Committee finds, however, that the Kokee State Park Advisory Council has not met in over five years nor has it been populated with necessary members.

Your Committee further finds that there are alternative models of acquiring community collaboration.  In other master plan implementations, ad hoc community advisory committees were utilized to provide beneficial community input without the burdensome restrictions associated with legislatively created bodies.  As such, the Department of Land and Natural Resources has the ability to work with community organizations that may provide valuable input in lieu of a dormant advisory committee.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1028 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair