STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3805

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2626

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2626, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FISHPONDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to specify certain findings that the Board of Land and Natural Resources must make in order to lease a government-owned Hawaiian fishpond.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Kuaaina Ulu Auamo, Nature Conservancy, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that the specific findings required by this measure will streamline the process for the repair, restoration, maintenance, and operation of traditional Hawaiian fishponds while also prioritizing traditional Native Hawaiian practices that are essential to the health of the fishponds.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2626, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair