OHA Kaka'ako Land Settlement Advances in House

Earlier today, the House Committee on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources and Committee on Hawaiian Affairs held a joint hearing for legislation regarding the state's proposed transfer of Kaka'ako Makai lands to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA).

SB2783 conveys the Kaka'ako Makai lands to OHA, resolving all disputes and controversies relating to OHA's portion of income and proceeds from the public trust lands from November 7, 1978 and June 30, 2012.

SB682 allows for two lots in the proposed Kaka'ako Makai settlement package to be developed as residential properties that are exempt from public facilities fees, providing for at least twenty percent of the units are designated for low to moderate income households.

Governor Abercrombie submitted written testimony and appeared before the Committees to field questions on the two bills. The Committees adopted both pieces of legislation, with nine members voting with reservations and one 'no' vote on SB682. Both bills will now advance to the House Committee on Judiciary.

Gov. Abercrombie was joined by Attorney General David Louie