THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1200

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO A SMALL BOAT HARBOR IN SOUTH PUNA.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the district of Puna needs a new small boat harbor to service residents, particularly those living south of the anticipated lava flows.  Lava flow is incredibly unpredictable, leaving Puna residents in constant fear of their community being cut off from supplies and services.  Initiating the planning process now for a small boat harbor in Puna will allow for the Puna community to continue to grow and thrive knowing that there is a plan in place.

     Geographically Puna is a huge district, just slightly smaller than the island of Kauai.  A few factors make access to Puna challenging, specifically Puna has an extensive network of lava tubes creating terrain that is too risky to pave; therefore, road infrastructure cannot be developed to accommodate efficient transportation.  Puna needs a harbor in order to more efficiently transport supplies.

     Currently, the Puna coast has only one option, Pohoiki boat ramp, which is too small for commerce.  The closest commercial harbor to Puna is Hilo harbor, a trip that takes approximately six to eight hours round trip from South Puna and requires a great amount of fuel.

     Furthermore, Puna is the fastest growing district in the county of Hawaii, with a population of 45,326, according to the 2010 United States census, and is expected to grow to approximately 75,000 by 2030.  Puna is also becoming increasingly popular as a tourist attraction as it is near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and is a world renowned destination for ecotourism and personal development opportunities.

     The purpose of this Act is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds to conduct a feasibility study for a small boat harbor in South Puna.

     SECTION 2.  The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $5,000,000 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 2015-2016 to conduct a feasibility study for a small boat harbor in South Puna, Island of Hawaii.

     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, 2018, shall lapse as of that date.

     SECTION 4.  The sum appropriated in section 2 of this Act shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.


 


 

Report Title:

Puna Small Boat Harbor; General Obligation Bonds; Appropriation

 

Description:

Authorizes the director of finance to issue general obligation bonds to finance a feasibility study for a small boat harbor in South Puna.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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