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Public Testimony of NHLC in Opposition of SB2884

Water protectors have fought for years to have the State apply appropriate water permit review protocols to protect public trust water in the Keauhou aquifer in North Kona. These protections include review of environmental impacts and impacts on Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices. Just last year, the Water Commission agreed to defer a decision to permit the Ota well to address these concerns. Pending bill SB2884 would enable automatic water permit approvals, effectively removing these important protections. Please take a moment to submit written (due tomorrow at 1pm) and sign up to testify orally (via Zoom) if you can. ...

February 8, 2022|Categories: Hawaiian Home Lands, Water Rights|

Public Testimony of NHLC in Opposition of SB2251

The Senate Housing Committee will hold a hearing tomorrow, Tuesday February 1 at 1:30pm on SB2251, which would encourage the long term development and leasing of "ceded" lands for any housing, including market and above market rate units. Using public trust lands for this purpose fails to advance the interests of Native Hawaiians or the general public, as required by Section 5(f) of the Admission Act. Read NHLC’s public testimony here: NHLC Opposes SB2251 Read SB2251 here: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2022/bills/SB2251_.htm