Public trust lands settlement bill advances in Senate
Star-Bulletin reports
that two state senate committees that heard the bill yesterday to approve a
multimillion-dollar settlement of cash and land between the state and the Office
of Hawaiian Affairs over the use of "ceded" lands will advance the bill on to
the Ways and Means Committee, although they say "Our passing this bill out of
committee is not meant as any indication that we find the proposed settlement
complete or satisfactory." Nearly 200 groups and individuals submitted verbal
and written testimony, with mixed sentiment.
More meetings on settlement
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the state Attorney General will hold community meetings to discuss the ceded lands settlement:
» Wednesday: at the Waimanalo Library from 7 to 9 p.m.
» Friday: at Pearl City High School from 7 to 9 p.m.
» Saturday: at Maili Elementary School from 7 to 9 p.m.
» Feb. 18: at OHA Kulana Oiwi offices on Molokai from 7 to 9 p.m.
More meetings are being planned. Information gathered in the meetings will be included in a report to the Legislature.
Visit OHA's Web site at www.oha.org/pastdue/ for updates. A "Halawai Punaewele" or electronic meeting is also planned over the Internet on Feb. 22 at the same Web address.
Posted: Sun - February 10, 2008 at 09:53 AM