THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1183

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO LIVING PARK PLANNING COUNCILS.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The coronavirus (COVID-19) has had a catastrophic impact on the world economy.  The complexities of dealing with a worldwide health crisis have added additional layers of uncertainty that may increase the time needed for recovery.  Because of this, the State has implemented the fiscal biennium 2021-2023 program review to identify ways to:

     (1)  Reduce expenditures;

     (2)  Identify programs, functions, and/or activities for possible elimination that, although well-intentioned, are of marginal benefit, low performing, or of lesser priority; and

     (3)  Identify cost-saving opportunities in core and primary programs and services through tightening program eligibility, reducing program benefits, improving efficiency, or cost shifting.

     The department of land and natural resources, after thorough review and much scrutiny, has determined that the living park planning council for Kahana valley is no longer effective and functional.

     Act 15, special session laws of Hawaii 2009, authorized the establishment of living park planning councils to develop a state living park master plan to ensure a living park achieves its purpose and goals.  After ten years and over eighty meetings, however, due to the complexity and lack of consensus, the community-based planning council could not reach consensus or develop the framework for a master plan for Kahana valley state park.  Hence, the department of land and natural resources engaged the services of a contractor to initiate the master planning process.  However, it was determined that there were many issues to be addressed prior to the development of a community master plan.  In 2019, the contractor finalized their report that identified three main issues that needed to be resolved prior to moving forward on a master plan:

     (1)  Determination if a cultural living park is still a realistic and valid concept;

     (2)  Assessment of the provisions and options relating to residential leases; and

     (3)  Identifying appropriate alternative management entities for oversight and management of the residential portions of the park or the park in general.

The outcome and outlook have diminished with the lack of participation, consensus, and motivation to move forward towards a master plan for the Kahana community.  To date, there has been no further discussion on a master plan, or future date to reconvene the planning council.

     The purpose of this Act is to repeal Act 15, special Session Laws of Hawaii 2009, that authorized the establishment of living park planning councils.

     SECTION 2.  Act 15, Special Session Laws of Hawaii 2009, is repealed.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

BY REQUEST


 


 

Report Title:

Living Park Planning Councils; Repeal

 

Description:

Repeals Act 15, Special Session Laws of Hawaii 2009, that authorized the establishment of living park planning councils.

 

 

 

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