KAHANA — The state land department is asking Kahana Valley residents if a recently approved bill to allow additional residential leases in the state park resolves their concerns.

Controversy surfaced at the state park last year when six families who had long ties to the valley were issued eviction notices. The families do not hold leases but had hoped to obtain them.

Kahana Valley residents live there under a unique agreement with the state, which bought the land in 1970 and created a "living cultural park" in 1993 to save the valley from development. In exchange for 65-year leases, the state allowed 31 families who were living there at the time of the purchase to stay, provided they contribute 25 hours a month of cultural activities.

House Bill 1552 puts on hold evictions from the valley for two years, allows the state Department of Land and Natural Resources to grant leases to people who live there now but don't have leases, and establishes a council to create a master plan for the Ahupua'a O Kahana State Park. The master plan could include qualifications for other people who might be eligible for a lease there.

Laura H. Thielen, DLNR director, met with Kahana residents on Thursday to learn what they thought about the bill. She also apologized for how she handled the eviction order last October.

"I made a big mistake in that I didn't come out here and personally sit down and talk to you," Thielen said. "I apologize for that."

Responses from residents, who didn't support the bill, made it clear that some people were upset that the situation was taken to the press and that bills to address the issue were developed without full input from the whole community.

Thoran Evans, whose family is one of the six facing eviction, also apologized to the group for seeking help through the press, but added that he felt he had no choice given the short notice to move.

Evans said he supported the bill "not because I'm getting evicted but because it gives the residents who want to come back an opportunity."

The bill awaits the governor's signature to become law. Gov. Linda Lingle has until July 15 to veto or sign the bill, or it automatically becomes law. However she must notify the Legislature of a possible veto 10 days in advance, making June 29 the last day to announce a veto.

Thielen asked the more than two dozen people at Thursday's meeting to get back to her in two weeks about whether the bill allows for a fair process in determining who sits on the planning council and how decisions will be made.

"Is that something you can live with, that you can work with, or do you want something different?" she asked.