STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1561-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.R. No. 210

      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.R. No. 210 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO EVALUATE THE POSSIBILITY OF USING A CONSERVATION LAND TRUST IN THE ALA WAI WATERSHED AREA,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this resolution is to request the Department of Land and Natural Resources to evaluate the possibility of using a conservation land trust in the Ala Wai watershed area to establish a continuous corridor in which to implement effective storm water and pollution improvements.

     A concerned individual supported this resolution.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources opposed this measure.  The Ala Wai Watershed Association provided comments.

     Your Committee finds that the Ala Wai watershed is an invaluable resource on the island of Oahu.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources is likely to have the best resources to evaluate the use of conservation land trusts as a measure to preserve the watershed area.  However, the City and County of Honolulu (City) may also be able to provide valuable assistance, as storm water management and maintenance of some waterways are functions of the City.  Accordingly, your Committee has amended this resolution by:

(1)  Amending the title to read:  REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO EVALUATE THE POSSIBILITY OF USING A CONSERVATION LAND TRUST IN THE ALA WAI WATERSHED AREA; and

(2)  Requesting the City and County of Honolulu to join the Department of Land and Natural Resources in evaluating the possibility of using a conservation land trust in the Ala Wai watershed area.

     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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 210, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 210, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

KEN ITO, Chair