REPORT TITLE:
Kaena Point Coastal Reserve


DESCRIPTION:
Appropriates $1,659,414 for FY 1999-2000, of which $1,537,000 is
for the Kaena Point coastal reserve development costs, and
$122,214 shall be for the Kaena point coastal reserve operating
costs.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        
THE SENATE                              S.B. NO.           694
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 1999                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE KAENA POINT COASTAL RESERVE.



BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 1      SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the coastal area of
 
 2 Kaena Point, a natural reserve area, is unique in offering a
 
 3 wilderness experience to residents of Oahu within a short drive.
 
 4 The Kaena Point coastal reserve offers tide pools, coastal sand
 
 5 dunes, habitat for rare plant species and associated insects,
 
 6 wildlife habitat for native animals including the endangered
 
 7 pueo, or Hawaiian short-eared owl, and monk seal, nesting sites
 
 8 for seabirds such as the Laysan albatross and wedgetail
 
 9 shearwater, an abundance of historic and cultural sites, and an
 
10 offshore habitat for reef fish and other marine animals that is a
 
11 magnet for fishermen, marine predators like spinner dolphins, and
 
12 migrating humpback whales.  After seven years of improved
 
13 resource management and a ban on motorized vehicles, the natural
 
14 area reserve portion at Kaena Point is in good condition.  The
 
15 ground cover is quickly returning.  Monk seals are regularly seen
 
16 on the beaches.  Rare plants indigenous to the area are showing
 
17 signs of recovery.  The leeward side is recovering at a slower
 
18 pace due to the dryer climate and established alien grasses.
 
19      However, more needs to be done to restore coastal ecosystems
 

 
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                                     S.B. NO.           694
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1 and protect threatened and endangered species, protect historic
 
 2 and cultural sites, and maintain access to the wilderness area
 
 3 for compatible activities.  The community and the department of
 
 4 land and natural resources are developing a joint vision to
 
 5 achieve these objectives.  The State recognizes that community
 
 6 participation in development and planning is imperative.  With
 
 7 this in mind, the following costs have been estimated for the
 
 8 development of the Kaena Point coastal reserve area.  The purpose
 
 9 of this Act is to appropriate funds to support the development
 
10 and operating costs of the Kaena Point coastal reserve.
 
11      SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general
 
12 revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,659,414, or so much
 
13 thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 1999-2000, of which
 
14 $1,537,000 shall be for the Kaena Point coastal reserve
 
15 development costs, and $122,214 shall be for the Kaena Point
 
16 coastal reserve operating costs.
 
17      SECTION 3.  The sum appropriated shall be expended by the
 
18 department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this
 
19 Act.
 
20      SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 1999.
 
21 
 
22                              INTRODUCED BY:______________________