HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	293
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

URGING THE COMPTROLLER TO TRANSFORM THE POOLS THAT SURROUND THE STATE CAPITOL WITH TRADITIONAL LO‘I STOCKED WITH FISH.

     WHEREAS, the water in the pools that border the Capitol building symbolizes the Pacific Ocean that surrounds the Hawaiian Islands; and

     WHEREAS, from its inception, these pools have been plagued with abundant growth of algae, primarily due to the use of brackish water, the lack of an adequate water circulation system, an abundance of sunlight on the pools' large surface area, and the shallow pool depth; and

     WHEREAS, over the years, the State has attempted various strategies to eliminate the algae, including stocking the pools with tilapia, manually scrubbing the pool floor, spraying special enzymes, and applying chlorine; and

     WHEREAS, this session, the State administration proposes to spend $7,900,000 to upgrade the pools' water circulation system and replace its waterproof lining; and

     WHEREAS, when completed, the administration's proposal will result in "...a pleasing environment of sparkling water and the soothing sound of water playing through fountains"; and

     WHEREAS, however, before committing the Capitol pools to this scenario, consideration should be given to using the Capitol pools to showcase the early Hawaiian aquaculture tradition which dates back many hundreds of years; and

     WHEREAS, transforming the pools into a series of traditional lo‘i, or irrigated terraces for growing crops, stocked with fish would not only recognize our proud past but it would also provide a living educational display in a heavily visited location of the Capitol District; and

     WHEREAS, under this proposal, strategically placed pumps would circulate water throughout the lo‘i, volunteers would maintain the lo‘i and cultivate the crops, fish waste would fertilize the vegetation, and fish would consume the algae; and

     WHEREAS, this proposal would completely eliminate the unsightly growth of algae that has lingered in the Capitol pools for decades; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, the Senate concurring, that the Comptroller is urged to transform the pools surrounding the State Capitol with traditional lo‘i stocked with fish; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Comptroller prepare a report regarding the labor, equipment, and other resources that would be necessary to establish and maintain the lo‘i; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Comptroller is requested submit the report to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the 2009 Regular Session; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Comptroller.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Capitol Pools; Lo‘i System; Fish