STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1276

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.C.R. No. 129

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 129 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION CONVENING A WORKING GROUP TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT PLANS IN KAKAAKO MAKAI,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to convene a working group to discuss future development plans in Kakaako Makai, including the identification of public lands of comparable value suitable to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs for a possible land exchange for some or all of its nine parcels in Kakaako Makai.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Community Development Authority, Friends of Kewalos, Free Access Coalition, Kaka‘ako Makai Community Planning Advisory Council, and fourteen individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the O‘ahu Island Parks Conservancy and one individual.

Your Committee finds that "Kakaako Makai" refers to the area within the Kakaako Development District bordered by the east side of Kewalo Basin at the Ewa end of Ala Moana Regional Park to Forrest Avenue, and from Ala Moana Boulevard to the ocean. Your Committee further finds that Act 15, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012, resulted in the conveyance of the fee simple interest of land comprising Kakaako Makai with existing improvements to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and provided that the property shall remain under the jurisdiction and authority of the Hawaii Community Development Authority, with respect to zoning, land use conditions, and all other matters over which the Hawaii Community Development Authority has jurisdiction and authority to act. Your Committee also finds that the Office of Hawaiian Affairs seeks statutory authority to develop residential high-rise buildings on Kakaako Makai land for the benefit of Native Hawaiians.

Your Committee acknowledges the opposition of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the issues raised by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in its testimony. Your Committee requests that your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, should it consider this measure, examine those issues that fall under its purview.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 129 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair