House to Make Decisions on PLDC Bills Today

PLDC hearing on O’ahu. File photo courtesy Mahina Martin.

By Wendy Osher

The House Committees on Water & Land and Finance will reconvene for decision making this afternoon on bills relating to the controversial Public Land Development Corporation.

The committees concluded testimony on six bills relating to the PLDC over the weekend.

Critics say the agency’s powers are too broad and are placed in the hands of a select few. Supporters say the PLDC helps to generate revenues and would allow for use of the lands for public purposes that otherwise would not have sufficient funding.

Water & Land Chair, Cindy Evans said the committee heard an “overwhelming number of people calling for a repeal of the act.” She said her committee will make a recommendation on the best way to move forward this afternoon.

A separate bill relating to public school redevelopment, which Governor Abercrombie personally delivered testimony on, was also heard on Saturday. Decision making on the bill was deferred until today.