Report Title:

OHA Package; Native Hawaiians; Aha Kiole Advisory Committee

 

Description:

Places the aha kiole advisory committee with the office of Hawaiian affairs for administrative purposes.  Appropriates funds.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

905

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

relating to native hawaiians.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Act 212, Session Laws of Hawaii 2007, established an `aha kiole advisory committee that would provide a framework for creating an `aha moku council system.  The `aha moku council system would be based upon the indigenous resource management practices of moku (regional boundaries), which acknowledges the natural contours of land, the specific resources located within those areas, and the methodology necessary to sustain resources and the community.

     Act 212 required the `aha kiole advisory committee to submit:

     (1)  A written interim report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2008 regular session; and

     (2)  A written final report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2009 regular session. 

     Act 212 also required the department of land and natural resources to provide support services to the advisory committee as the advisory committee deems necessary.  The Act appropriated state general revenues of $110,000 for fiscal year 2007-2008 and $110,0000 for fiscal year 2008-2009 to the department of land and natural resources for administrative costs related to carrying out the duties of the advisory committee, and for allowing each of the thirty-seven moku statewide to actively participate and engage in discussion on the creation of an `aha moku council system.

     The legislature further finds that although the advisory committee was formed, held meetings, and submitted the interim and final reports required by Act 212, lack of support from the department of land and natural resources has posed a significant obstacle to full and complete achievement of the committee's purposes.  The governor has released none of the funds appropriated by Act 212 and neither the committee nor its individual members have received funding, reimbursement for expenses, or support services.  All expenses incurred have been borne by the individual kiole and the committee's community coordinator.

     The purpose of this Act is to help ensure that the `aha kiole advisory committee reaches its full potential by placing the committee administratively within the office of Hawaiian affairs, extending the life of the committee for two years, requiring an additional report from the committee, and appropriating funds to be spent by the office of Hawaiian affairs to adequately support the committee during fiscal years 2009-2010 and 2010-2011.

     SECTION 2.  Act 212, Session Laws of Hawaii 2007, is amended by adding a new section to read as follows:

     "SECTION 3A.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $        or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2009-2010 and the same sum or so much as may be necessary for fiscal year 2010-2011 for administrative costs related to carrying out the duties of the `aha kiole advisory committee, and for allowing each of the thirty-seven moku statewide to actively participate and engage in discussion on the creation of an `aha moku council system.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the office of Hawaiian affairs for the purposes of this Act."

     SECTION 3.  Act 212, Session Laws of Hawaii 2007, section 2, is amended as follows:

     1.  By amending subsection (a) to read:

     "(a)  There is established the `aha kiole advisory committee to advise the legislature in carrying out the purposes of this Act.  Beginning on July 1, 2009, the advisory committee shall be located administratively within the office of Hawaiian affairs.  The advisory committee shall consist of eight members appointed by the governor without regard to sections 26-34 and 784, Hawaii Revised Statutes, from a list of nominations submitted by the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs.  The advisory committee members shall select the chairperson of the committee and shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties."

     2.  By amending subsection (c), (d), and (e) to read:

     "(c)  The advisory committee shall submit a written interim report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2008 regular session.  The advisory committee shall submit a written final report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2009 regular session.  The advisory committee shall submit an updated final report of its findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2010 regular session.

     (d)  [The] Until July 1, 2009, the department of land and natural resources shall provide support services to the advisory committee as the advisory committee deems necessary.

     (e)  The `aha kiole advisory committee shall cease to exist on June 30, [2009.] 2011."

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 2 of this Act shall take effect on July 1, 2009, and section 3 of this Act shall take effect on June 29, 2009.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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By Request