State to Receive Kalaeloa Land Parcels

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The state of Hawaii will receive approximately 300 acres of land in Kalaeloa, Oahu, in accordance with the Hawaiian Home Lands Recovery Act.

The six land parcels are at the former Barbers Point Naval Air Station that closed as a military base in 1999.

The act authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to convey this acreage to the HCDA as the local redevelopment agency and other lands to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

"These parcels contain irreplaceable Hawaiian archaeological and cultural sites that provide a window into our past," said Scott Bradley, HCDA chairperson. "Our Kalaeloa Master Plan designates the majority of the parcels as preservation and open space with minimal development.

Therefore one of the primary goals would be for preservation planning, protection and land stewardship."

The bill was authored by the HCDA, sponsored by Congressman Neil Abercrombie and included in the Defense Authorization Act signed in October 2009 by President Obama.