RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Many land-locked states located within the contiguous United States have significantly more marinas and mooring space dedicated for recreational boat use than does our island state, steeped though we are in the ancient reliance and use of the ocean for cultural practices, transportation, communication, sustenance, sport, and recreation; and

WHEREAS, the Legislative Auditor has issued numerous reports emphasizing the need for significant capital improvements to repair and properly maintain Hawaii’s harbors and boating facilities operated by the Department of Land and Natural Resources; and

WHEREAS, The State and counties have long used the private sector to provide public services to the people of Hawaii who have benefited from this outsourcing through increased efficiency, and by gaining the use of resources that are owned or have been developed by the private sector; and

WHEREAS, private companies continue to express keen interest in redeveloping and managing Hawaii’s harbors and boating facilities operated by the Department of Land and Natural Resources; and

WHEREAS, these companies are committed to investing hundreds of millions of dollars in construction projects to significantly upgrade harbor infrastructure, and vastly improve public safety, access, and convenience; and

WHEREAS, the creation of additional jobs, increased tax revenues, and the value added to existing facilities produced by private capital investment in these harbor areas will greatly benefit the State’s economy; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Land and Natural Resources is urged, pursuant to the terms, conditions, and restrictions codified under chapter 171, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to authorize leases for state submerged lands and lands beneath tidal waters located at Hale O Lono Harbor (on the island of Molokai), Kahului Harbor (on the island of Maui), Keehi Lagoon Harbor (on the island of Oahu), Nawiliwili Harbor (on the island of Kauai), and Honokohau Boat Harbor, Keauhou Boat Harbor, and Kailua-Kona Boat Harbor (on the island of Hawaii); now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Board of Land and Natural Resources is hereby authorized to lease state submerged lands and lands beneath tidal waters located at Hale O Lono Harbor (on the island of Molokai), Kahului Harbor (on the island of Maui), Keehi Lagoon Harbor (on the island of Oahu), Nawiliwili Harbor (on the island of Kauai), and Honokohau Boat Harbor, Keauhou Boat Harbor, and Kailua-Kona Boat Harbor (on the island of Hawaii) pursuant to the terms, conditions, and restrictions codified under chapter 171, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

Report Title:

AUTHORIZING THE LEASE OF STATE SUBMERGED LANDS AND LANDS BENEATH TIDAL WATERS AT CERTAIN SMALL BOAT HARBORS.