Bill Text: HI SB897 | 2015 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission; Use; Appropriation; Report ($)

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2015-03-12 - Referred to WAL/OMH, FIN, referral sheet 30 [SB897 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2015-SB897-Introduced.html

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

897

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the Kahoolawe island reserve commission.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature has historically found that the island of Kahoolawe has significant cultural and historical importance to the native people of Hawaii.  The Kahoolawe island reserve commission was established to effectively address the unique challenges of preserving, restoring, and determining the appropriate use of Kahoolawe.

     The Kahoolawe island reserve commission is primarily funded by the Kahoolawe rehabilitation trust fund that was created during the federal cleanup of unexploded ordnance on Kahoolawe.  The federal appropriation of approximately $44,000,000 over a seven-year period, while considerable, was insufficient to establish a sustainable endowment for the long term operation of the Kahoolawe island reserve commission's operations.  In a 1993 report to congress, it was envisioned that in the long term, the State would provide the funding to continue and enhance the activities initiated by federal funding.

     In 2004, the management and control of Kahoolawe was transferred from the Navy to the State.  The Kahoolawe island reserve commission was designated as the state agency responsible for the use and restoration of Kahoolawe.

     A 2013 report by the office of the auditor found that the Kahoolawe rehabilitation trust fund will be depleted by 2016 and secondly, that the Kahoolawe island reserve commission lacked a comprehensive and quantifiable restoration plan with performance measures to determine whether objectives were being met.  In response, the Kahoolawe island reserve commission began holding numerous meetings and working groups on all islands that resulted in the issuance of a community based strategic plan for Kahoolawe entitled "I Ola Kanaloa".

     Without additional funding the Kahoolawe island reserve commission will be financially unable to continue its management of the Kahoolawe island reserve beyond the 2015-2016 fiscal year.  The legislature finds that it is important to continue the programs of the Kahoolawe island reserve commission.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the Kahoolawe island reserve commission to effectively meet the unique challenges of managing, restoring, and preserving the appropriate and safe uses of the Kahoolawe island reserve for the people of Hawaii.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $6,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the management, restoration, and preservation of the Kahoolawe island reserve.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Kahoolawe island reserve commission for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 2 of this Act shall take effect on July 1, 2016.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission; Appropriation for Fiscal Year 2016

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for the 2016-2017 fiscal year to the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission for the management, restoration, and preservation of the Kahoolawe island reserve.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

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