Monday, March 2, 2009

Cultural Jewels: Hawaiian Fishponds on the Ledge



This week on "The Ledge": Representative Lyla Berg talks about HB 1665 (SB 1644), a Hawaiian Caucus bill that if made law would bar the state from selling public land on which government-owned Hawaiian fishponds are located.

The bill received no testimony in opposition during its first hearing in the House Hawaiian Affairs committee. The Kuli'ou'ou Kalani Iki Neighborhood Board #2, Livable Hawaii Kai Hui, Maunalua Fishpond Heritage Center, Hawaii Nearshore Fisherman, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs testified in support of this measure. The Department of Land and Natural Resources commented on the bill, deferring to the Dept. of the Attorney General because government-owned fishponds are considered ceded lands. The AG's office and the administration has remained in opposition of all measures prohibiting the sale of ceded lands.

HB 1665 is scheduled to be heard in the House Finance committee on Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. in conference room 309.

To email testimony, go to http://capitol.hawaii.gov/emailtestimony/

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