STAND

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 98

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: H.B. No. 898

H.D. 1

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 H.B. No. 898 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE XI, SECTION 1 OF THE HAWAII CONSTITUTION, TO REQUIRE USE AND PROTECTION OF HAWAII'S NATURAL RESOURCES IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THEIR SUSTAINABILITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to propose an amendment to Article XI, Section 1 of the Hawaii Constitution, to require use and protection of Hawaii's natural resources in a manner consistent with their sustainability.

The Sierra Club-Hawaii Chapter and numerous concerned individuals testified in support of this measure. The Department of Land and Natural Resources supported the intent of this measure. Life of the Land opposed this bill.

Hawaii has one of the most unique and diverse environments in the world. Too often we take this environment for granted, believing that it will forever endure for our future generations. Your Committee finds that action must be taken as soon as possible to preserve our natural resources for all the children of Hawaii.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language into the proposed constitutional amendment defining the term "sustainability" to mean "the balancing of environmental stewardship, social justice, cultural concerns and economic activity to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs or the health and viability of Hawaii's natural resources and ecosystems.";

(2) Clarifying that the protection of our natural resources is for the benefit of the present and future generations of Hawaii; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

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. 898, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 898, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources,

		____________________________ EZRA R. KANOHO, Chair