STAND. COM. REP. NO.  821

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

 

RE:   H.B. No. 484

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 484, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE PROTECTION OF TARO,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to protect taro growing lands and structures by designating such lands as special agricultural lands restricted for specific uses.

 

     The Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Taro Security and Purity Task Force; Kipahulu Ohana, Inc.; Na Kupuna Moku O Keawe; Hawaii Island School Garden Network; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; Na Moku Aupuni O Koolau Hui; Hawaii SEED; Hookipa Network – Kauai; and numerous individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources and a few individuals provided comments on this measure.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 484, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair