STAND. COM. REP. NO.228

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: S.B. No. 1259

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, Energy and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 1259 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR WAIPIO VALLEY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for a land survey of Waipio Valley for use in the further discussions of appropriate activities of the area.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Bishop Museum, Life of the Land, and one individual. The Department of Land and Natural Resources submitted comments.

Your Committee finds that efforts to resolve problems related to the increased activities in Waipio Valley are hampered by conflicting information regarding land ownership. Trails and access roads are a particular concern, and even public agencies differ on the interpretation of which agency is responsible, and for what portion of a trail or road.

Your Committee supports the current community efforts to bring all parties together, and further supports the information that would be collected through the proposed study in this measure.

Your Committee believes, however, that these public-private efforts will not succeed unless there is stronger enforcement of current laws, particularly those related to commercial tours, and a more equitable sharing of costs. Your Committee also urges the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to take an active role in resolving the problems related to overuse of Waipio Valley, both as a cultural and financial resource for the community.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Energy and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1259 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, Energy and Environment,

____________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair