THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

79

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO REGULARLY CONSULT WITH HO‘OLAULIMA IA KAWAINUI TO COORDINATE EFFORTS TO PROTECT, CONSERVE, AND RESTORE THE NATURAL, CULTURAL, AND SCENIC RESOURCES OF THE KAWAINUI/HAMAKUA MARSH COMPLEX AND RELATED WATERWAYS.

 

 

 

     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, the Kawainui/Hamakua Marsh complex in Kailua, Oahu is Hawaii's largest remaining natural wetland and an ecological and cultural treasure; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Kawainui/Hamakua Marsh complex, 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 the Kawainui/Hamakua Marsh complex 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 the Kawainui/Hamakua  Marsh complex 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 Kawainui Marsh to prevent a shopping mall from being built there; and

 

     WHEREAS, for more than thirty years, community organizations have been instrumental in the Kawainui/Hamakua Marsh complex'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 the Kawainui/Hamakua Marsh complex, such as fundraising and conducting pollution control and prevention efforts; and

 

     WHEREAS, Ho‘olaulima ia Kawainui 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 the Kawainui/Hamakua Marsh complex to ensure the long-term protection, restoration, and stewardship of the Kawainui/Hamakua Marsh complex and the surrounding area; and

 

     WHEREAS, since 2003, Ho‘olaulima ia Kawainui has been actively advocating to unite county, state, and federal agencies to further the goal of consolidating the ownership of the Kawainui/Hamakua Marsh complex 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 Kawainui to coordinate efforts to protect, preserve, and maintain the natural, cultural, and scenic resources of the Kawainui/Hamakua Marsh complex; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to regularly consult with Ho‘olaulima ia Kawainui and other concerned community entities to coordinate efforts to protect, conserve, and restore the natural, cultural, and scenic resources of the Kawainui/Hamakua Marsh complex by responding positively to a quarterly invitation from Ho‘olaulima ia Kawai Nui to meet with it and other concerned community entities to review and assess the progress of programs and goals relating to the Kawainui/Hamakua Marsh complex; and

 

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

Report Title: 

Kawainui/Hamakua Marsh Complex; Ho‘olaulima ia Kawainui