STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1815

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 101

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Energy and Environment, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 101 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE ON CERTAIN AQUATIC SURF RESOURCES IN THE STATE INCLUDING THE COST OF FUNDING A STUDY ON THE FEASIBILITY OF CONSTRUCTING ARTIFICIAL REEFS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request that the Department of Land and Natural Resources report to the Legislature on certain aquatic surf resources in the State, including the cost of funding a study on the feasibility of constructing artificial reefs.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

     Your Committee finds that the sport of surfing has increased in popularity extensively over the last century with over one hundred thousand surfers living on Oahu, causing overcrowding and unsafe  surfing areas and conditions. 

     Your Committee further finds that most of the surf that is formed near the shore is caused by waves breaking over fragile coral reefs and that new technological advances may now make the creation of artificial reefs for surfing cost-effective.

     Your Committee further finds that, in addition to having the potential to be cost-effective, artificial reefs also provide an ideal habitat for marine life and may promote the health and wellness of the community by providing greater access to the sport of surfing.  An additional benefit would be the simultaneous reduction of congestion at popular surf locations.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 101 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy and Environment,

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RON MENOR, Chair