Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 25, Number 12, 1 December 2008 — Kahana Valley evictions stayed [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Kahana Valley evictions stayed

The fate of six families who are living in Kahana Valley without leases from the state is now in the hands of the state Legislature. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources stayed the evictions of the families last month, saying it would give lawmakers tkne to address the issue in the 2009 session,

whieh starts in January. Residents who have leases to live at Ahupua'a 'o Kahana State Park under a "living park" concept are not affected by the eviction. But the six families who are seeking leases have filed a temporary restraining order in court, and the public has rallied in their support. Among the supporters is state Sen. Clayton Hee, who has said he would reintroduce a bill this session to allow the state to negotiate new leases for the Windward O'ahu valley even though he doesn't believe the state has cause to evict. According to a March 2008 opinion by the state Attorney General's office, the state's ability to grant new leases expked in 1993. — Lisa Asatu S

KAHANA VALLEY UPDATE

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