THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2480
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to the Wahiawa irrigation system.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Wahiawa irrigation system is a critical irrigation system providing water to farmers in Waialua and Haleiwa on the island of Oahu. Built by the Waialua Sugar Company, the Wahiawa irrigation system was created with a dam and freshwater reservoir fed by the north fork and south fork of the Kaukonahua stream. The dam is essential to agriculture as the water in the reservoir provides irrigation to farmers in Wahiawa, Waialua, and Haleiwa.

The legislature further finds that Dole Food Company has listed the irrigation system for sale for $20,000,000. The system includes the Wahiawa reservoir, Wahiawa dam and spillway, and ditch system. It is the interest of the public for the State to acquire the Wahiawa irrigation system and preserve the system for public access and the agriculture industry.

The purpose of this Act is to require the department of land and natural resources and the agribusiness development corporation to acquire the Wahiawa irrigation system.

SECTION 2. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $21,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2022-2023 for the department of land and natural resources to purchase the fee simple interest in the Wahiawa irrigation system, including the following parcels:

(1) TMK (1) 7-3-001-003;

(2) TMK (1) 7-3-001-019;

(3) TMK (1) 7-3-005-005;

(4) TMK (1) 7-3-006-023;

(5) TMK (1) 7-3-007-001;

(6) TMK (1) 7-3-008-001;

(7) TMK (1) 7-3-010-003;

(8) TMK (1) 7-3-011-003;

(9) TMK (1) 7-3-011-006;

(10) TMK (1) 7-3-011-007;

(11) TMK (1) 7-3-012-002;

(12) TMK (1) 7-3-012-006;

(13) TMK (1) 7-3-013-003;

(14) TMK (1) 7-4-001-003; and

(15) TMK (1) 7-4-012-001;

provided that the fee simple interest in the Wahiawa ditch shall be acquired by the agribusiness development corporation.

SECTION 3. The appropriation made for the capital improvement project authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2027, shall lapse as of that date.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2022.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DLNR; ADC; Wahiawa Irrigation System; Land Purchase; Bonds

Description:

Authorizes the issuance of bonds for the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Agribusiness Development Corporation to purchase the Wahiawa Irrigation System on the island of Oahu.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.