STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1609

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.R. No. 111

H.D. 1

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.R. No. 111 entitled:

"HOUSE 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, Free Access Coalition, O'ahu Island Parks Conservancy, Friends of Kewalos, and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Pe'a Records & Entertainment, Kupuna for the Mo'opuna, and numerous individuals.

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 also notes a Member's concern about the potential for 400 ft high development in the Kakaako Makai area, and whether this was a previously-agreed-to allowance for this land.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing Chief Executive Officer to Chair of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs;

(2) Adding an additional appointed member from the Hawaii State Senate to the working group;

(3) Adding an additional appointed member from the Hawaii State House of Representatives to the working group;

(4) Removing a representative of the Kakaako Makai Community Planning Advisory Council from the working group; and,

(5) Inserting language to have members of the working group select a chair internally.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 111, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 111, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair