STAND. COM. REP. 3492

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: H.C.R. No. 181

H.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Science, Arts, and Technology and Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 181, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO REQUIRE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS TO HAVE CULTURAL CONSULTANTS AND MONITORS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the State Historic Preservation Division (Division) of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to study the feasibility of requiring construction projects to have cultural consultants and monitors on site.

Testimony in support of the measure was received from one individual. The Department of Land and Natural Resources testified in opposition to the measure.

Your Committees find that this measure recognizes the important obligation placed upon the State in regards to preservation and protection of Native Hawaiian cultural practices. The discovery of ancestral bones at construction sites is a common occurrence in Hawaii that necessitates the need for cultural monitors knowledgeable in the proper protocols in regard to the proper handling of Native Hawaiian ancestral bones. Your Committees also expect the Division to include the Island Burial Councils as active participants in this feasibility study, given the statutory mission of these councils.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Science, Arts, and Technology and Water, Land, and Agriculture that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 181, H.D. 1, and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Science, Arts, and Technology and Water, Land, and Agriculture,

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

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DAVID Y. IGE, Chair