Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 75 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to protect the marine waters of Hawaii by requesting the Department of Health (DOH) to re-evaluate its memorandum of understanding with the cruise ship industry regarding cruise ship discharges.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and NCL America testified in support of this measure. The North West Cruiseship Association supported the intent of this measure. DOH did not support this concurrent resolution.

The protection of Hawaii's fragile environment is paramount. Hawaii's coastal waters not only serve as a food source but also play a vital role in the economy of the State, drawing thousands of visitors to these islands each year. Maintaining the viability of our marine ecosystem through the regulation of the numerous activities along our shoreline, such as the cruise ship industry, is an important endeavor that will not only affect today's citizens, but future generations as well.

Your Committee understands that the issue of regulation of discharge into marine waters of this State is a complex one that involves numerous federal regulations which serve as an impetus for this measure. Knowing what can and cannot be achieved through statutory regulations and what will be necessary to achieve full protection for Hawaii's coastal waters is a good first step in saving our environment.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 75, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 75, H.D. 1.