STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1105-00

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 2000

                                 RE: H.R. No. 92 
                                     




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ocean Recreation and Marine Resources, to
which was referred H.R. No. 92 entitled: 

     "HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING A STUDY OF THE IMPACT THAT
     COMMERCIAL MARINE MAMMAL WATCHING TOURS MAY HAVE ON MARINE
     MAMMALS IN WATERS OFF THE WAIANAE COAST OF OAHU,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this resolution is to request the Department
of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to conduct a study of the
marine mammal population off the Waianae Coast.  This study will
determine what, if any, effect commercial marine mammal watching
tours may have on behavior patterns of marine mammals in the
area.

     The study will allow DLNR to determine the maximum number of
commercial use permits that should be issued for marine mammal
watching tours, and to determine the feasibility of issuing
commercial use permits for specific rather than unspecified ocean
recreational activities.  The DLNR will also be requested to
review existing and ongoing research about the effects that human
activity may have on marine mammals.  

     Your Committee received testimony in favor of this measure
from the Marine Mammal Research Program, Dolphin Excursions
Hawaii, the Hawaiian Political Action Council of Hawaii, and
several concerned individuals.  The DLNR supported the intent of
this resolution.


 
 
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     While your Committee realizes that DLNR does not have the
necessary resources to conduct this study, by passing this
resolution, it hopes to show that marine mammals are a high
priority to the State of Hawaii, thereby making it easier for
researchers to receive grants and funding. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Ocean Recreation and Marine Resources that is
attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent
and purpose of H.R. No. 92 and recommends that it be referred to
the Committee on Finance.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Ocean Recreation
                                   and Marine Resources,



                                   ______________________________
                                   ROY M. TAKUMI, Chair