STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2023

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 2000

                                   RE:  S.B. No. 2529
                                        S.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Water, Land, and Hawaiian Affairs, to
which was referred S.B. No. 2529 entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO A LAND EXCHANGE IN NORTH
     KONA, HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to authorize a land exchange in
the North Kona area of the island of Hawaii between the State and
Earl E. Bakken.

     Testimony in favor of the measure was received from the
Hawaii Leeward Planning Conference, a representative of Mr.
Bakken, and three private citizens.

     Testimony in opposition was submitted by the Office of
Hawaiian Affairs and the Kona Hawaiian Civic Club.

     The Department of Land and Natural Resources took no
position on the proposed land exchange.

     Your Committee finds that the measure authorizes a land
exchange that involves private lands located on the coast of
Kiholo Bay, North Kona District, on the island of Hawaii for
public lands located inland of Kiholo Bay, North Kona, Hawaii.

     Your Committee believes that these private lands, found at
the location identified as TMK (3) 7-1-02:02, have significant
recreational, environmental, and cultural value to the people of

 
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Hawaii.  This shoreline property has an extensive coastal strand,
mature vegetation, and anchialine pools adjacent to a fine black
sand beach fronting Kiholo Bay.  The private parcel is also
surrounded by public lands and the public acquisition of this
private parcel would effect a consolidation of holdings of public
lands and improve access from mauka public lands to the
shoreline.

     Kiholo Bay is a significant and productive marine ecosystem
and is a major area for green sea turtles to rest and feed.  The
significant environmental value of the bay was recognized by the
State, when it designated Kiholo Bay as a fishery management
area, with specific restrictions to protect the sea turtles.

     Your Committee also finds that the general area of Kiholo
Bay has historical importance as the location of an historical
fishing village that was once the abode of Kamanawa, who along
with his twin brother, Kame'eiamoku, are the two great chiefs and
supporters of King Kamehameha who appear on the official shield
of the Hawaiian Kingdom.  The great Kiholo Fishpond, built for
King Kamehameha, was located in this area, before it was
destroyed by lava in the 1850's.

     Earl E. Bakken has proposed to exchange these private lands
for a nine-acre parcel of public land at the location identified
as a portion of TMK (3) 7-1-02:08, inland of Kiholo Bay, North
Kona, Hawaii.  These public lands are of significantly less
public value as they have very limited recreational resources,
and are located inland of the important and productive coastal
ecosystem.  This parcel of public land is located inland and
adjacent to the Bakken's current residence, a single-family home.
The land is to be used for a caretaker's residence.

     Your Committee has amended the bill by:

     (1)  Placing a one-year time limit on executing the
          exchange;

     (2)  Stating that the lands received by the State in the
          exchange shall assume the same public land status as
          the lands transferred to Mr. Bakken; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for
          purposes of consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Water, Land, and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached
to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and
purpose of S.B. No. 2529, as amended herein, and recommends that

 
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it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B.
No. 2529, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and
Means.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Water, Land, and
                                   Hawaiian Affairs,



                                   ______________________________
                                   COLLEEN HANABUSA, Chair

 
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