Report Title:
Hilo Bay Recreational Thrill Craft Zone.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.C.R. NO. |
56 |
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TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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RESOLUTION
requesting the department of land and natural resources to reevaluate the boundaries of the hilo bay recreational thrill craft zone.
WHEREAS, many of the jet ski owners and users in Hilo have raised safety issues concerning the designated Hilo Bay Recreational Thrill Craft Zone; and
WHEREAS, according to section 13-256-141, Hawaii Administrative Rules, the boundaries of the Hilo Bay Recreational Thrill Craft Zone are defined as follows:
"Beginning at a point at the low water mark which is three thousand six hundred feet east of the tip of Hilo Breakwater; then by azimuth measured clockwise from True South, 005 degrees for a distance of one thousand one hundred feet; 095 degrees for a distance of three thousand nine hundred feet; 185 degrees for a distance of two thousand feet; 275 degrees for a distance of one thousand one hundred feet; 005 degrees to the low water mark on the seaward side of the breakwater; then along the low water mark to the point of beginning.";
and
WHEREAS, since the zone is nearly one mile away from the shoreline, thrill craft users must traverse a great distance to enter the zone; and
WHEREAS, the distance poses a hazard to users who may encounter equipment failure on their way to or from the thrill craft zone, or who may need medical assistance if they are injured in the thrill craft zone; and
WHEREAS, the designated area is also along the break wall at the mouth of the bay, an area where "rogue wave" accidents have occurred, claiming the lives of opihi pickers, fishermen, and others who frequent the area; and
WHEREAS, in determining the boundaries of the Hilo Bay Recreational Thrill Craft Zone, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, held a series of public hearings in the late 1980s and early 1990s as part of efforts to develop a regulatory strategy that balances the needs of all recreational users; and
WHEREAS, based on their findings, DLNR adopted the rule setting forth the boundaries of the thrill craft zone in 1994; and
WHEREAS, since nearly ten years have passed since the adoption of the rule, the number of thrill craft users in Hilo has risen while the recreational needs of other citizens, such as canoe paddlers and small boat enthusiasts, have changed; and
WHEREAS, there is a need for DLNR to reevaluate this rule to ensure that the boundaries of the thrill craft zone balance the recreational needs and safety concerns of all users; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2001, the Senate concurring, that DLNR reevaluate the existing boundaries of the Hilo Bay Recreational Thrill Craft Zone; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DLNR take reasonable steps to ensure the receipt of public comment from all segments of Hilo Bay's recreational users; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DLNR submit a status report of its efforts to the Legislature at least 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2002; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Hawaii Powerboat Recreation Association.
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OFFERED BY: |
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