By Choon James for Civil Beat

Senate Bill 1555 creating the PLDC was introduced by Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz on Jan. 26, 2011.

William Aila, current chairman of the Department of Land and Natural Resources submitted testimony contrary to SB1555.

At the Oahu public hearing on Aug. 29, 2012, former DLNR Chair, Laura Thielen, broke her silence and testified against PLDC and supported a repeal of Act 55.

SB 1555 passed without public scrutiny and was enacted into Act 55 by Gov. Neil Abercrombie on May 24, 2011.

Act 55 establishes the PLDC as a state development corporation attached to the DLNR to develop public lands placed under the PLDC jurisdiction, including but not limited to existing open shoreline areas, conservation lands, agricultural lands, and small boat harbors, for commercial purposes to generate revenue for the State.

PLDC has unfettered powers to develop and implement public lands projects and facilities to create revenue-generating centers as opportunities exist “to exploit potential local, national, and international markets.”

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