STAND. COM. REP. NO.1063

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: H.B. No. 1509

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 1509, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a South Kona wilderness park to be administered by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), while providing for the development of a comprehensive management plan for the park.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Trust for Public Land, and a concerned community member.

Your Committee finds that the lands being proposed for a South Kona Wilderness Park -- an area running south along the coastal section of the ahupua`a of Honomalino to the ahupua`a of Manuka in the Ka`u district -- is compatible with other State Parks in DLNR's system. The significant archaeological sites and native plants and animals in the area will be preserved and protected, and limited access for recreational uses such as camping, fishing, swimming, and exploration will be allowed. This would be consistent with the State Parks' mission to provide and preserve unique places of natural, historic, cultural, and scenic importance for appreciation, study, and recreation by residents and visitors.

Your Committee has amended the measure by making the description of the area in Kapu`a more precise, and by stating that after the Act's repeal on December 31, 2004, any land classification that was changed by the Act will be reinstated.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1509, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1509, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

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

____________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair