HR175.DOC

WHEREAS, one of Hawaii's greatest assets is its beautiful shorelines and coral reefs; and

WHEREAS, shorelines and healthy coral reefs must be protected for citizens, tourists, and future generations to enjoy as our natural heritage; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii's ocean access has been systematically cut off by development; and

WHEREAS, less than one percent of the shorelines of Hawaii's main islands is presently protected as marine protected no-take areas; and

WHEREAS, shoreline areas that are protected have significantly more fish and healthy coral reefs than unprotected 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, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is urged to protect Hawaii's marine resources by designating marine protected no-take areas--defined as areas in which line fishing, spear gunning, net fishing, and collection or any other form of taking from the area, are prohibited, with consideration for traditional and customary native Hawaiian practices--by:

(1) Holding public hearings on each island to determine which shorelines are the most worthy of protection; and

(2) Placing signs at access points to the shorelines selected that declare the shoreline as a marine protected no-take area, with a phone number to call if a citizen sees a violator;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DLNR is also urged to identify and re-sort all existing beach access and parking, and that considerations be made to expand parking and access requirements for any new oceanfront developments in the state; and

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

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Shorelines; Marine Protected No-Take Areas

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	175
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII