STAND. COM. REP. NO.  640-18

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2018

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2641

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Economic Development & Business, to which was referred H.B. No. 2641, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC LANDS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to revitalize the economy on the island of Hawaii, particularly in the Hilo area by:

 

     (1)  Establishing a ten-year pilot project for the redevelopment of the Kanoelehua Industrial Area and Banyan Drive region on Hawaii Island;

 

     (2)  Establishing a planning committee, as well as the procedures for the planning committee, and redevelopment plans for the Kanoelehua Industrial Area and Banyan Drive region; and

 

     (3)  Modifying public land lease restrictions.

 

     The Councilmember representing Council District 3 of the County of Hawaii, County of Hawaii Planning Department, Hawaii Island Economic Development Board, McCully Works, Hawaii Planning Mill, Ltd. dba HPM Building Supply, Hawaii Association of REALTORS, and a few concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.  Life of the Land testified in support of the intent of this measure.  The Department of the Attorney General, League of Women Voters, and Hawaii's Thousand Friends testified in opposition to this measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources provided comments.

 

     Your Committee finds that the Kanoelehua Industrial Area and Banyan Drive region on Hawaii Island are in need of critical economic revitalization and that this measure brings forward a framework to revitalize the area, which will also revitalize the Hilo community as a whole.  While your Committee understands the concerns raised by the Attorney General that limiting the pilot project to specifically named areas of Hawaii Island raises constitutional concerns regarding special legislation, the revitalization of an economically depressed region of the State deserves further consideration and the concerns of the Attorney General can be addressed as the measure continues to make its way through the legislative process.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Business that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2641, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

CINDY EVANS, Chair