March 7, 2013
Lahaina News
HONOLULU - A bill to purchase land at Lipoa Point at Honolua Bay for permanent preservation passed unanimously out of the State House of Representatives last week Thursday.
The measure, House Bill 1424, passed first reading in the Hawaii Senate on Friday.
"I fully support the acquisition of Lipoa Point," said Maui County Council Chair Gladys Baisa.
"I am very grateful to our Maui Representatives McKelvey, Carroll, Ing, Woodson, Souki and Yamashita for introducing this very important measure."
The bill appropriates an unspecified sum of general obligation bonds for the Department of Land and Natural Resources, in consultation with the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust, to purchase the parcel of land.
"Since 2007, the mayor and the council have consistently pledged $1 million for the acquisition of this land, but we cannot do it alone," said Baisa.
She thanked the Save Honolua Coalition, Surfrider Foundation, The Trust for Public Land and the hundreds of individuals who have tirelessly lobbied to protect the pristine parcel of land.
"The parcel was pledged against a pension fund," said Baisa. "Passage of this measure will also ensure the safety of pension benefits for hundreds of Maui Land & Pine retirees."
The Senate must also pass the measure. The public can track its progress at www.capitol.hawaii.gov.
"I urge the Senate to do what is right and appropriate the necessary funds to acquire this land," said Baisa.
Tenth District Rep. Angus McKelvey of Lahaina said Honolua supporters must continue lobbying for HB 1424.
"Even though the bill has passed the House, we are only at the proverbial half-time of the game, so to speak," McKelvey said, explaining that the bill has to go through the same public hearing process as in the House.
"So, once again, public testimony will be critical for passage of the bill in the Senate, especially since it did not originate in that chamber."
Residents, county officials and Maui Land & Pineapple Co. Inc. President and Chief Operating Officer Ryan Churchill testified in favor of the bill.
Read more...
