Allows campsites in conservation districts. (HB767 HD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii is a beautiful island state with each island having its own history and unique offerings. As an island state, it can be difficult for Hawaii's youth to travel among the islands to experience first hand, learn about, and study various parts of the state and to access many of the cultural, historical, and recreational resources available, particularly on Oahu.

The continually increasing costs of interisland airfares has made interisland travel even more difficult and cost prohibitive. However, there is hope in Hawaii Superferry, the Hawaii firm that is planning to start an interisland ferry service. Along with this alternative form of interisland travel, the legislature believes that, as tourism is a significant industry in Hawaii, it is also important to have affordable accommodations available for residents who live here and travel interisland. One type of affordable accommodation that has widespread appeal in the state is camping. With campsites available at or near the ports for the interisland ferry, more residents can travel to and explore the islands in an affordable manner. To ensure that both public and privately funded campsites can be developed efficiently in conjunction with the start of the interisland ferry, the legislature believes that camping and campsites with parking should be allowed in conservation districts.

The purpose of this Act is to allow camping in the conservation districts.

SECTION 2. Section 183C-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:

"(d) The department shall establish zones within the conservation district, which shall be restricted to certain uses. The department, by rules, may specify the land uses permitted therein which may include[,] but are not limited to[,] farming, flower gardening, operation of nurseries or orchards, growth of commercial timber, grazing, recreational or hunting pursuits, day and overnight camps with parking areas, or residential use. The rules may control the extent, manner, and times of the uses, and may specifically prohibit unlimited cutting of forest growth, soil mining, or other activities detrimental to good conservation practices."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2020.