HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	102
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO REFRAIN FROM SELLING PUBLIC LANDS THAT CONTAIN or are contiguous to hawaiian fishponds.

WHEREAS, Hawaiian fishponds, or loko i'a, are cultural treasures unique to Hawaii and the "Loko Kuapa" is a style and feat of Hawaiian engineering that has not been duplicated anywhere else in the world; and

WHEREAS, these ancient structures are ties to an important element of Hawaiian culture that is on the verge of being lost forever; and

WHEREAS, the experience of preserving, nurturing, and revitalizing the loko i'a in recent times has proved to be a valuable tool and resource for learning and an opportunity to instill awareness of the need to "malama I ka 'ama"; and

WHEREAS, traditional knowledge of the physical, spiritual, and cultural aspects of loko i'a represents a near perfect balance of early Hawaiians' understanding of our relationship to the land, sea, and heavens; and

WHEREAS, this knowledge continues to have a profound influence in understanding the problems of contemporary society and its relationship to the environment today; and

WHEREAS, the State has a compelling interest in preserving historic and culturally meaningful techniques related to aquaculture and the environment; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is urged to refrain from selling public lands that contain Hawaiian fishponds, in whole or part, and the land contiguous to these culturally and historically significant systems; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title: 

Hawaiian Fishponds.