MEDIA RELEASE

Senate Bill 2783, relating to public trust lands, was passed out of the House of Representatives Friday. The bill will make its way to Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s desk next.

This is an historic day for the State of Hawaii, as many have waited decades for a resolution to this issue regarding ceded lands,” Senate President Shan Tsutsui said. “I commend all parties involved for their hard work and commitment to shepherding the passage of this bill.”

“The passage of this landmark legislation is a major step in the right direction for the Native Hawaiian community and Hawaii as it brings closure to a long-standing dispute,” said Sen. Brickwood Galuteria, chairman for the Senate Committee on Hawaiian Affairs. “I thank the House for moving this bill forward and for supporting this measure.”

Senate Bill 2783 would convey Kakaako Makai lands to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). The State and OHA agreed that an approximately $200 million settlement represents a reasonable compromise of the disputed claims.

To satisfy that $200 million amount, the State is conveying contiguous and adjacent parcels in Kakaako Makai. The parcels are near Kakaako Waterfront Park, including Fisherman’s Wharf.

If the measure is approved by the Governor, all disputes and controversies relating to OHA’s portion of income and proceeds from the public trust lands will be extinguished and discharged as well as bar all claims, suits, and actions for the period Nov. 7, 1978 through June 30, 2012.

— Find out more:
www.hawaiisenatemajority.com