HONOLULU Hawaiis governor is urging state lawmakers to support a bill to change land lease requirements that could affect public water rights.
HONOLULU — Hawaii’s governor is urging state lawmakers to support a bill to change land lease requirements that could affect public water rights.
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Thursday that Democratic Gov. David Ige sent a letter to state Senate and House leaders asking them to resurrect a bill that would give public water users more time to meet requirements for obtaining long-term leases.
Ige’s letter Thursday included a memo outlining impacts on farming, ranching and clean energy projects if HB 1326 is not passed and permit holders lose access to public water after this year.
Opponents of the measure say the true focus of the bill is Honolulu real estate company Alexander & Baldwin, which could owe as much as $62 million if sufficient water is not available for planned farming operations.
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Information from: Honolulu Star-Advertiser, http://www.staradvertiser.com
