STAND. COM. REP. NO. 514

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 203

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.B. No. 203, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO A WATER STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR CERTAIN AGRICULTURAL LAND IN WAHIAWA, OAHU,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds to fund construction costs of a water storage and distribution system and related improvements on agricultural lands owned by the office of Hawaiian affairs in Wahiawa, Oahu, surrounding the Kukaniloko birthing stones site.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Agribusiness Development Corporation, Kūpuna for the Mo‘opuna, Wai‘anae Community Re-Development Corporation, MA‘O Organic Farms, Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and thirteen individuals.

Your Committee finds that the water storage and distribution system envisioned in this measure will enable the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to take a significant step forward in the development of its Wahiawa property and will advance diversified agriculture, food security, and cultural preservation in Central Oahu, thereby providing a model for sustainable agricultural development throughout the islands.

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. 203, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair