THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	147
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the department of land and natural resources to regularly consult with Ho‘olaulima ia Kawai Nui to coordinate efforts to protect, preserve, and maintain the natural, cultural, and scenic resources of Kawai Nui Marsh.

     WHEREAS, wetlands are lands or areas, such as tidal flats and swamps, that contain a lot of soil moisture and protect and maintain water quality in other near‑shore habitats; and

     WHEREAS, the protection provided by wetlands is particularly important for coral reefs occurring seaward of coastal wetlands because the wetlands shield the reefs from sediment, turbidity, and pulses of fresh water during periods of heavy rain; and

     WHEREAS, Kawai Nui Marsh in Kailua, Oahu is Hawaii's largest remaining natural wetland and an ecological and cultural treasure; and

     WHEREAS, Kawai Nui Marsh, which encompasses approximately eight hundred thirty acres of land, has been identified by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as a primary habitat for endemic and endangered native Hawaiian birds such as the ‘alaeke‘oke‘o, ‘alae ‘ula, ae‘o, and koloa maoli; and

     WHEREAS, despite their significance to Hawaii's environment, wetlands such as Kawai Nui Marsh are increasingly threatened by urban sprawl as the wetlands are drained, dredged, and filled to provide land for residential and commercial development; and

     WHEREAS, community efforts to protect Kawai Nui Marsh began in the 1970s, when the Lani-Kailua Outdoor Circle rallied to educate the community, Legislature, and government agencies about the natural and cultural values of Kawai Nui Marsh to prevent a shopping mall from being built there; and

     WHEREAS, for more than thirty years, community organizations have been instrumental in Kawai Nui Marsh's designation as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance by contributing to three consecutive master plans for the marsh and conducting numerous natural and cultural restoration programs, educational tours, and events; and

     WHEREAS, community organizations have also provided other cooperative efforts to benefit Kawai Nui Marsh, such as fundraising and conducting pollution control and prevention efforts; and

     WHEREAS, Ho‘olaulima ia Kawai Nui is a network of concerned community organizations, government agencies, and individuals cooperating to foster public awareness and understanding of the natural, cultural, and scenic resources of Kawai Nui Marsh to ensure the long-term protection, restoration, and stewardship of Kawai Nui Marsh and the surrounding area; and

     WHEREAS, since 2003, Ho‘olaulima ia Kawai Nui has been actively advocating to unite county, state, and federal agencies to further the goal of consolidating the ownership of Kawai Nui Marsh under the State; and

     WHEREAS, the Department of Land and Natural Resources is currently responsible for the management and sustainability of this important public resource; and

     WHEREAS, the Department of Land and Natural Resources should regularly consult with Ho‘olaulima ia Kawai Nui to coordinate efforts to protect, preserve, and maintain the natural, cultural, and scenic resources of Kawai Nui Marsh; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to regularly consult with Ho‘olaulima ia Kawai Nui to coordinate efforts to protect, preserve, and maintain the natural, cultural, and scenic resources of Kawai Nui Marsh; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to meet with Ho‘olaulima ia Kawai Nui on a quarterly basis to review and assess the progress of programs and goals relating to Kawai Nui Marsh; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chair of the Board of Land and Natural Resources and Ho‘olaulima ia Kawai Nui.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Kawai Nui Marsh; Ho‘olaulima ia Kawai Nui