STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2864

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2871

       S.D. 2

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2871, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AQUATIC RESOURCES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to provide a community-based approach to monitoring fishery resources.

     Specifically, this measure:

(1)  Establishes the maka`i o ke kai program to involve local communities in the management of Hawaii's near-shore fishery resources;

(2)  Establishes a process for communities that are interested in establishing a maka`i o ke kai programs to submit proposals for matching grants from the State for community-based marine management projects;

(3)  Establishes a Community-based Marine Resource Management Advisory Committee, consisting of community stakeholders, to advise the Department of Land and Natural Resources on matters related to near-shore fishery management and fisheries rules; and

(4)  Appropriates unspecified amounts for the maka`i o ke kai program and the Community-based Marine Resource Management Advisory Committee.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Conservation Council for Hawaii, the Ocean Tourism Coalition, Malama Hawaii, and two concerned individuals.  Testimony in opposition to this measure was submitted by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

     Your Committee finds that the maka`i o ke kai program would be an effective community-based approach for engaging local communities in the management of marine resources in their community and would help to address community concerns regarding rules affecting near-shore fisheries.  In addition, your Committee believes, that in the interest of including all stakeholders, the ocean tourism industry should be represented on the management advisory committee.

     Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Adding one seat to the Community-based Marine Resource Management Advisory Committee to be filled by a member of the Ocean Tourism Coalition; and

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

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2871, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2871, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair