Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 200, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct an analysis of local, national, and international incentives and programs to promote landowner protection of important mauka lands.

This measure also requests that the Department of Land and Natural Resources recognize the public benefits of the ecosystem services provided by important mauka lands.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc., the Hawaii Forest Industry Association, the Nature Conservancy, the Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Maui Land and Pineapple Company, Inc., and the McCandless Ranch.

Preserving and protecting our natural environment and resources is critical to ensure a promising future for our residents, especially our children. Mauka lands in Hawaii provide scenic beauty for residents and visitors, and many of the forests and woodland areas are the last refuge for many of Hawaii's rare and endangered plants and animals, many of which exist nowhere else on earth.

Your Committee finds that the Department of Land and Natural Resources, working together with scientific and economic experts in the field, as well as other interested parties, can properly analyze local, national, and international incentives and programs to promote landowner protection of important mauka lands and encourage recognition of the public benefits of the ecosystem services that those lands provide.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 200, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.