STAND. COM. REP. NO.556

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 1053

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development, to which was referred S.B. No. 1053 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR PLANS FOR HE`EIA KEA BEACH PARK,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for planning, designing, and construction of improvements at He'eia Beach Park in Kaneohe, including a study of the cost and impact of moving Kamehameha Highway inland to accommodate the park.

Your Committee received a petition from ninety-eight residents in support of this measure, and seventeen individuals in opposition. Your Committee also received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Board of Land and Natural Resources and two concerned citizens.

Your Committee finds that the growing Kaneohe community lacks viable beach access similar to Waimanalo, Kailua, and Kualoa. The present Kaneohe Beach Park is a small park fronting a mud and sand area.

Your Committee further finds that prior to construction of Kamehameha Highway in its present location, there was a beautiful beach fronting He'eia Kea, north of He'eia State Park in Kaneohe. Your Committee finds that if it is feasible to move the highway inland, there would still be room for a public beach in that spot.

Your Committee notes that further discussion on this issue is warranted.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1053 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development,

____________________________

CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair