Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources, to which was referred H.B. No. 2927 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to manage commercial activities that create or threaten to create negative impacts on public health or the environment, or result in user conflicts, by requiring the chairperson of the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to adopt rules necessary to determine the number of commercial permits issued for these commercial activities in any near-shore areas under DLNR's jurisdiction, or originating from privately operated facilities.

DLNR and a concerned individual testified in support of this measure. The Hawaii Boaters Political Action Association supported the intent of this measure. Maui Dive Shop, Lahaina Divers Inc., Maui-Molokai Sea Cruises, Trilogy Excursions, Ocean Tourism Coalition, and Aqua Lung Pacific opposed this bill.

Your Committee recognizes that activities allowed in state-controlled near-shore areas is a statewide issue that must be discussed in the context of environmental and economic sustainability. A balance should be struck between the recreational and commercial uses of these near-shore areas.

Your Committee has amended this bill by:

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2927, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2927, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.