HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1424

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE ACQUISITION OF RESOURCE VALUE LANDS.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Lipoa Point-Honolua is one of the most iconic landmarks in Hawaii.  Honolua is rich in marine resources and historical and archaeological sites, and is one of the most popular recreational areas for locals and tourists alike, offering some of the best snorkeling and surfing conditions on the island of Maui.  Nationally recognized as a marine preserve, it has attracted federal funding and programs for having some of the highest fish assemblage characteristics of all the Hawaiian islands.  Additionally, Honolua is considered to have one of the most diverse, unique, and abundant reef formations, providing habitat for rare coral species.

     Historically, not only is Honolua Bay significant for Hawaiian canoe voyaging as being the departure point for the Hōkūlea maiden voyage in 1976, it is also the site of several archaeological finds that were identified by Bishop Museum staff in 1974, including two heiau, boulders with grinding surfaces, house platforms, burial mounds, and agriculture terraces.

     The legislature further finds that due to its iconic reputation, Honolua Bay has drawn countless visitors to Hawaii, which helps generate revenue by bolstering the State's important tourist industry.  Honolua is known worldwide as a premier winter session, big wave surf spot, a sector of the surfing industry that is currently eclipsing the ASP world tour.

     The legislature finds, however, that recent contemplation of zoning changes to the area have jeopardized the pension benefits for numerous retirees, as the parcel was pledged against a pension fund established by the retirees' former employer in order to make sure that kupuna would continue to receive the benefits that they worked for.  If this pension fund should fail, many of the pensioners would have to turn to state services and programs, thereby straining the social safety net, especially in an area where resources are scarce to begin with.

     The legislature further finds that acquiring this land for preservation would help protect the area's pristine condition while providing funds to ensure the adequate capitalization of the pension fund.  The legislature also finds that the owners of the land have pledged that any revenues derived from the sale of this parcel would be pledged completely against the pension fund, thereby alleviating concerns of the social safety net being stretched even further.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate general obligation bonds for the department of land and natural resources, in consultation with Hawaiian Islands Land Trust, to engage in efforts to acquire the parcel of land located at Lipoa Point.

SECTION 2.  Notwithstanding approval by the board of land and natural resources pursuant to section 173A-5(i), Hawaii Revised Statutes, the department of land and natural resources, in consultation with the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust, shall engage in efforts to acquire the parcel of land located at Lipoa Point, identified as TMK 2-4-1-001-010-0000.

     SECTION 3.  The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2013-2014 for the acquisition of the parcel of land located at Lipoa Point, identified as TMK 2-4-1-001-010-0000.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  To the maximum extent possible, the department of land and natural resources shall ensure that the seller of the land indentified in section 2 of this Act uses the proceeds of the sale to benefit the pension plan of retirees of the Maui Land and Pineapple Company, Inc.

     This section shall not be construed or interpreted or deemed to obligate the State for the pension plan liabilities of employees of the Maui Land and Pineapple Company, Inc.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2013.

 


 


 

Report Title:

DLNR; Lipoa Point; Land Acquisition; Appropriation; General Obligation Bonds

 

Description:

Requires DLNR, in consultation with the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust and notwithstanding board approval, to engage in efforts to acquire the parcel of land located at Lipoa Point, identified as TMK 2-4-1-001-010-0000.  Requires the DLNR to ensure to the maximum extent possible that the seller of the land uses the proceeds of the sale to benefit the pension plan of retirees of the Maui Land and Pineapple Company, Inc.  Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and makes an appropriation for the land acquisition.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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