Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1076, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to designate hunting as the primary means of reducing game animal numbers, whether through public hunting or contracting with public organizations and clubs.

While your Committee recognizes the conflict between the values of preserving intact native ecosystems and the maintenance of viable game mammal populations for traditional, subsistence, and recreational hunting, your Committee nevertheless believes that this measure is necessary for the DLNR to control game animals.

Your Committee notes that the DLNR already uses public hunting as its primary means of controlling game animals. Your Committee further finds that scientific data indicate that to preserve certain native ecosystems, major reduction and, at times, complete elimination of game mammals may be necessary.

Your Committee agrees with the intent of this measure, and finds that allowing the DLNR to designate hunting as the primary means of reducing game animal numbers as provided in this measure will ultimately help to preserve Hawaii's native ecosystems.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1076, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.