HI SB1173

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources, in consultation with The Trust for Public Lands, to negotiate the acquisition of approximately 6,000 acres of land at Kapua (Miloli'i) on the island of Hawaii from The Resort Group.

Amends Section 237D-6.5 of Hawaii Revised Statutes to allocate transient accommodations tax revenues toward the purchase of Kapua lands, with the specific dollar amount to be determined.

Appropriates funds from general revenues for fiscal years 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 to complete the land acquisition, with the amount to be specified.

Directs that any land acquired through negotiations be funded wholly or in part by transient accommodations tax revenues under the amended statutory provisions.

Takes effect on July 1, 2015, and aims to preserve the scenic coastal area from resort development while protecting agricultural land and Hawaiian cultural traditions.