STAND. COM. REP. NO.  372-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2625

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2625 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DESIGNATION OF APRIL 19 AS "HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL DAY","

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to increase awareness of the endangered and endemic Hawaiian monk seal by designating April 19 of each year as Hawaiian Monk Seal Day.

     KAHEA: The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance, the Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Team, and numerous concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  The Conservation Council for Hawaii supported the intent of this bill.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) supported the bill with amendments. 

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

(1)  Changing the date designated as Hawaiian Monk Seal Day from April 19 to every third Saturday in April; and

(2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for style, clarity, and consistency.

Your Committee notes that the intent of the Committee is to designate every third Saturday of April as Hawaiian Monk Seal Day. This is the day an annual seal count is conducted, along with community activities held by the National Marine Fisheries Service, DLNR, and community organizations across the state.  However, your Committee notes that the designation of April 19 in the bill title may create a problem with this change in the date.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2625, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2625, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Tourism & Culture.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

KEN ITO, Chair