|
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.C.R. NO. |
261 |
|
TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006 |
H.D. 1 |
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
||
RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FACILITY MAINTENANCE OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU, TO REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VARIOUS KAILUA WATERWAYS, INCLUDING THE KAELEPULU POND, AND THE WATER QUALITY AND NATURAL RESOURCES OF KAILUA BEACH AND KAILUA BAY.
WHEREAS, Kaelepulu pond in the community of Enchanted Lake on the windward side of Oahu is a natural estuary that was formerly part of a native Hawaiian fishpond; and
WHEREAS, Kaelepulu pond is on the Department of Health's (DOH) list of impaired waters; and
WHEREAS, Kaelepulu pond and Kailua's canals receive runoff from storm drains and sediments as part of the federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permitting program, but the runoff and sediments deposited into these bodies of water have contributed to significant shallowing of the waters; and
WHEREAS, Kaelepulu pond supports abundant marine fish populations and provides a breeding habitat for at least three species of endangered Hawaiian waterfowl; and
WHEREAS, Kaelepulu stream is joined by the water remnant of Kawainui stream, which no longer drains Kawainui marsh due to the construction of flood control dikes, and is therefore a dead-end stream with low water quality; and
WHEREAS, Kaelepulu stream, which empties Kaelepulu pond and Kawainui stream, enters the state waters of Kailua Bay across a state beach and through a popular City and County of Honolulu beach park; and
WHEREAS, there have been a number of studies funded by county, state, and federal governments and a private source relating to water quality, hydrology, and natural resources of these systems; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, the Senate concurring, that DOH, with the assistance of the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and the Department of Facility Maintenance of the City and County of Honolulu (DFM), is requested to submit a report to the Legislature summarizing information from previous reports and studies to reach an understanding of:
(1) The probable impact of the Kaelepulu pond estuary on the water quality and natural resources of Kailua Bay, as well as the potential health risks to beachgoers;
(2) The probable causes of decreased water quality in the estuary system;
(3) Information gaps that need to be addressed to clarify existing problems and potential solutions;
(4) Reasonable approaches that could be investigated to improve the water quality and natural resources of the estuary system and its impact on state beaches and waters in Kailua Bay; and
(5) Potential solutions that could be implemented, with consideration for the mixed ownership and control of various portions of this integrated estuary and ocean system by the state, county, and federal governments and private entities;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DOH, with the assistance of DLNR and DFM, is requested to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature at least 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2008; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Director of Health, and Director and Chief Engineer of DFM.
Report Title:
DLNR Water Quality Report; Kailua Waterways