Hawaii Senate Bill SR160

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/23
• Refer: 3/15/23
• Report Pass: 4/4/23
• Passed: 4/5/23

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Transfer To The County Of Maui The Lahaina Public Library Makai Lawn.

Impact

If enacted, SB160 could lead to increased local governance and management of the property, as Maui County would be able to oversee its use. This could potentially foster community engagement by allowing public events to be held on the land, which aligns with the goals of local organizations such as the Lahaina Restoration Foundation. The initial transfer of the property is intended to free it from state restrictions and make it more accessible for community initiatives.

Summary

Senate Resolution 160 requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources to transfer ownership of the makai lawn of the Lahaina Public Library to the County of Maui. This particular piece of land is currently underutilized and has not been accessible for public events due to the inability to obtain necessary permits. The resolution suggests that transferring ownership to the county could enable the land to be managed in a more beneficial manner, particularly by leasing it to the Lahaina Restoration Foundation for appropriate community uses.

Contention

While the bill appears to have support for promoting local use of state lands, it may face scrutiny regarding its impact on state-controlled property management practices. Some legislative discussions could center around concerns about the precedent this resolution sets for future transfers of state property to local entities, as well as ensuring that such lands are used effectively and beneficially for the community.

Voting_history

The resolution was passed unanimously on April 3, 2023, by the Senate Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs committee, indicating a strong bipartisan support for the initiative.