HI SR98

The Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to form the Kapua Lands Consortium to assess the best way to acquire approximately 7,000 acres of land in South Kona on the island of Hawaii.

The consortium shall be limited to five members representing organizations whose mission is to conserve, protect, and steward land or preserve natural resources and Native Hawaiian customs and practices.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources shall form the consortium in consultation with The Trust for Public Land Hawaii Advisory Board and The Nature Conservancy of Hawaiʻi.

The Kapua Lands Consortium is directed to work with the Legislative Reference Bureau to draft legislation prior to the 2016 Regular Session.

The lands of Kapua are currently owned by South Kona LLC and are slated for vacation resort development; the state seeks to preserve the area's pristine condition and agricultural character for future generations.