Bill Text: HI HB1890 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: GO Bonds; Waipio Valley; Purchase ($)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-01-27 - Referred to WAL, FIN, referral sheet 2 [HB1890 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2016-HB1890-Introduced.html
|
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1890 |
|
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016 |
|
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to waipio valley.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Waipio valley, on the island of Hawaii, is an area of great agricultural, historical, and cultural significance. Waipio valley is the location of the earliest human settlement on the island of Hawaii and is the only undisturbed example of a royal center in the State. Waipio valley has served as a historical, cultural, and demographic center in the Hawaiian Islands for the past eight hundred years. The valley houses precious resources, including multiple heiau, taro patches, a fishpond, a waterfall, and human remains.
Due to concerns over the need to preserve and protect Waipio valley and its rich cultural and historical value, the State's acquisition of Waipio valley has long been the subject of study, analysis, and oversight. Although legislation to acquire the valley has been introduced in previous sessions, none of the proposed legislation has become law.
The Waipio valley task force, formed pursuant to house resolution no. 277, regular session of 1990, compiled a 1992 report addressing the feasibility and analysis with respect to the State's acquisition of the portion of the valley owned by the Bishop Museum. The report specifically addressed the detrimental impact on commercial uses of the valley, including factors involving the influx of visitors and lack of adequate public facilities and safety, anticipated demographic changes to the Hamakua region and the detrimental effect on the natural and cultural resources of the valley, and concerns related to stream maintenance and flood control projects. The report found that there was a desperate need to protect and preserve the aesthetic integrity of Waipio valley.
Recently, the Bishop Museum announced plans to offer five hundred thirty-seven acres of Waipio valley property for sale. The land has been appraised at $10,000,000 and represents seventy per cent of the valley land.
The legislature believes that the proposed sale of a substantial portion of the valley presents serious risks of urban and commercial development in the valley. Therefore, the legislature finds that it is in the best interest of the State to purchase and acquire ownership of the portion of Waipio valley that is for sale by the Bishop Museum.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds for the purchase of Waipio valley. The purchase of Waipio valley ensures the preservation of the land and its rich culture and history for generations to come.
SECTION 2. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $10,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the purchase of lands owned by the Bishop Museum, the estate of Charles Reed Bishop, or the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate situated in Waipio valley, island of Hawaii.
The sum shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2016.
|
INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
|
|
|
Report Title:
GO Bonds; Waipio Valley; Purchase
Description:
Authorizes the issuance of $10 million in GO bonds for the purchase of Waipio valley on the island of Hawaii.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
