The popular Hawaii County fair has been cancelled again.This year would have been the 73rd Hawaii County Fair and fair officials are concerned that this could possibly be another event
House Bill 499 Public Land Leases
House Bill 499 authorizes the state Board of Land and Natural Resources to directly negotiate lease extensions with tenants of public lands. This includes leases for commercial, government, industrial, resort, or mixed-use purposes. Big Island Senator Lorraine Inouye says the bill will incentivize investment and long-term maintenance of Hawaiʻi’s public lands.
“The burden of improving lease properties lies on the lessees, many of whom are willing to make the investment in exchange for lease extensions,” says Sen. Inouye.
Public land leases currently have a maximum term of 65 years, with some tenants approaching the end of their leases. Under HB 499, these tenants will be eligible for an extension if they commit to investing at least 30 percent of the property’s fair market value into renovations or developments to the property.