STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2248

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2817

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 2817 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HONOLUA BAY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to create a temporary Honolua Bay advisory committee to develop a plan to acquire and manage Lipoa Point for public use.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Ocean Tourism Coalition, Atlantis Adventures, Lahaina Divers, and Expeditions.  Testimony in opposition to this measure was submitted by the State Procurement Office and one individual.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources submitted comments.

     Your Committee finds that since the days of the ancient Hawaiian people, Honolua Bay has been an important and cherished place on Maui.  From the Honolua Stream to Lipoa Point and Honolua Bay, the area has remained an important place for recreation such as surfing and diving and has been the venue for international professional surfing contests.  Honolua Bay is also one of Hawaii's most pristine coral reef habitats.  In fact, the State recognized the importance of the marine resources at Honolua Bay by making the area a marine life conservation district in the early 1990s.

     Your Committee also finds that Lipoa Point, which adjoins Honolua Bay, is also recognized as an important area for surfing, fishing, and diving for both local residents and visitors.  However, the landowner of Lipoa Point has recently announced plans to develop the area, triggering a statewide movement to protect and preserve the area for public use.  The Legislature finds that state, county, federal, and private funds can be used to finance such a purpose in any negotiations with the landowner.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by adding a seat on the Honolua Bay Advisory Committee for each of the following entities:

     (1)  The Department of Land and Natural Resources; and

     (2)  The Ocean Tourism Coalition.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2817, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2817, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water and Land,

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair