STAND. COM. REP. 2585

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: S.B. No. 3044

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 3044 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC PROPERTY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide a penalty provision for violation of the law on public access to coastal and inland recreational areas.

The bill makes it a misdemeanor to restrict public access to the sea, shoreline, or any inland recreational areas and adds a fine of $1,000 or more for a second offense, and a fine of $2,000 or more for a third and subsequent offense.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, a Maui County Council Member, American Friends Service Committee, Hawaiian Political Action Council of Hawaii, Life of the Land, and two individuals.

The intent of this measure is to protect access to public resources by discouraging residents from attempting to block public access. This would also apply to new developments. Your Committee finds that public access should remain open and accessible as part of our island heritage.

Your Committee further finds that the public has come to rely on the public access points at all times of the day for a variety of subsistence, cultural and recreational activities, all of which should be protected for the people of Hawaii.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3044 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

COLLEEN HANABUSA, Chair