Report Title:

Department of Land and Natural Resources; Recreational Leases

 

Description:

Requires the department of land and natural resources to extend the recreation-residence use leases at the Koke‘e and Waimea canyon state parks for 5 years.  Sunsets 01/01/12.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2872

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

relating to public lands.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  For years, the State has granted permits for recreational-residences in the Koke‘e and Waimea canyon state parks.  Currently, there are approximately one hundred forty recreational-residence use leases in Koke‘e and Waimea canyon state parks.  The board of land and natural resources has directed the department of land and natural resources to conduct a public auction of all of its recreation-residence use leases in Koke‘e and Waimea canyon state parks following their expiration in December 2006.  Many of the existing lessees have made substantial improvements on their leased lots, some having done so over a period of generations, and they do not want to abandon these improvements.  The issue of a public auction became contentious enough that a recent decision was made to delay the auction indefinitely, pending the conclusion of lawsuits and public input.  The decision resulted in the State issuing month-to-month tenancy of the recreational residences to the lessees.  However, the uncertainty of the leaseholders' length of tenancy has led to the deferral of maintenance on the recreational cabins, many of which are historic and an irreplaceable part of the cultural landscape of the Koke‘e and Waimea canyon state parks.

     The legislature further finds that, for the good of the cabins and the Koke‘e and the Waimea canyon state parks, the leaseholders of recreational-residential use leases must be provided with the long-term assurance that they need to invest in maintenance and repair of the properties.

     SECTION 2.  The department of land and natural resources shall extend its recreational-residence use leases in the Koke‘e and Waimea canyon state parks for five years at a       per cent increase.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval and shall be repealed on January 1, 2012.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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