HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	60
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE Na ala Hele Advisory Council to convene a series of discussions on the safe use of hunting dogs on trails that cross public hunting areas.

     WHEREAS, certain public hiking trails in the State of Hawaii traverse across areas designated by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) as hunting areas, where hunters, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts come into contact with one another; and

     WHEREAS, contact between these users increases on weekends and state holidays, which are designated by DLNR as hunting days; and

     WHEREAS, both hikers and hunters may be accompanied by dogs on these hiking trails; and

     WHEREAS, the placement of public hiking trails in hunting areas makes it easier for hunting dogs to move without restraint on trails that are also used by hikers with pet dogs; and

     WHEREAS, hunters and their hunting dogs play an important role in managing the feral pig populations on state lands, further preserving our watershed areas and preventing damage on private property; and

     WHEREAS, non-hunters are required by DLNR to keep their pet dogs on leashes at all times while on public trails; and

     WHEREAS, hunters are required by DLNR to keep their dogs "under restrictive control during transportation while in transit at all times, to and from hunting areas within the forest reserve"; and

     WHEREAS, the officers of DLNR's Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement that are responsible for enforcing rules regarding hunting dogs lack the resources for enforcement across vast areas of state lands and are unable to respond quickly to concerns; and

     WHEREAS, the Na Ala Hele Advisory Council, made up of members who represent all interested constituencies, including hikers and hunters, was established to provide a public forum at which all trail issues could be considered; and

     WHEREAS, concerns over safety on public hiking trails that travel across hunting areas have been raised by residents, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts that utilize these areas; 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 Na Ala Hele Advisory Council convene a series of discussions on the safe use of hunting dogs on trails that cross public hunting areas; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group should include in the dialogue representatives from:

     (1)  Honolulu Police Department;

     (2)  Citizens for Safe Hiking;

     (3)  Oahu Pig Hunters Association;

     (4)  Hawaiian Humane Society;

     (5)  Hawaii Hunting Association;

     (6)  Hawaii Rifle Association;

     (7)  Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club; and

     (8)  Other interested stakeholder groups; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Na Ala Hele Advisory Council submit a report on the outcomes of the discussions to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2010; 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.

Report Title: 

Hunting Dogs; Public Hiking Trails