Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 177, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to protect Kawai Nui Marsh (Marsh) by urging the City and County of Honolulu, the State of Hawaii, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers to resolve the land-ownership issues involving the Marsh to protect and preserve the natural resources of the Marsh.

The Kailua Bay Advisory Council and Hawaii's Thousand Friends testified in support of this concurrent resolution. Windward Ahupua'a Alliance supported this measure and suggested an amendment. Kawai Nui Heritage Foundation supported the intent of this concurrent resolution. The Department of Land and Natural Resources opposed this measure.

The Marsh is the largest remaining wetland in Hawaii and provides an important habitat for four endangered species of native Hawaiian water birds. It also serves as a critical flood control basin that protects the lower-lying areas of urban Kailua and the water quality of Kailua Bay. Recently, the Marsh was designated by the Convention of Wetlands of International Importance as one of three wetlands of international importance in the United States.

Among others, the State, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), and the City and County of Honolulu (C&C) have contributed to the protection and preservation of the Marsh. The Marsh is affected by the Kawai Niu Flood Control Project, a facility authorized and constructed by the Corps. The State must acquire the 749 acres of Marsh lands owned by C&C to fully implement the Kawai Niu Marsh Master Plan.

Your Committee respectfully requests that the parties involved in the protection and preservation of Kawai Nui Marsh report the results of their discussions to the Legislature.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 177, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.