STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1487

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 60

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Higher Education and Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 60 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA, COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, PUBLIC POLICY CENTER AND SPARK M. MATSUNAGA INSTITUTE FOR PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO EXPLORE THE SAFE USE OF HUNTING DOGS ON PUBLIC HIKING TRAILS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the University of Hawaii at Manoa, College of Social Sciences, Public Policy Center and Spark M. Matsunaga Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution to convene a working group to explore the safe use of hunting dogs on public hiking trails.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by The Humane Society of the United States, Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board, Kailua Neighborhood Board No. 31, Oahu Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Hawaii Dog Foundation, Citizens for Safe Hiking, Animal Rights Hawai‘i, Ho‘olaka Canine Specialists, and fourteen individuals.  Testimony in opposition was submitted by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Social Sciences Public Policy Center, University of Hawaii Spark M. Matsunaga Institute for Peace, Oahu Pig Hunters Association, and thirteen individuals.  Two individuals submitted comments.  Written testimony presented to the Committees may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committees have heard considerable testimony both in support and opposition to this measure.  While the perceptions of the problem are vastly different, your Committees agree that there are conflicts that require resolution.

     Your Committees understand that the Department of Land and Natural Resources manages approximately two hundred seventy miles of public trails through Na Ala Hele and other programs, with guidance through island-wide trail advisory councils that conduct regular public meetings.  Members of the advisory councils represent interested constituencies, including hikers, hunters, bicycle riders, equestrian riders, off-road motorized vehicle users, Hawaiian cultural representatives or practitioners, fishers, environmentalists, affected landowners, and other trail and access advocates.  Your Committees are in agreement with the recommendation of the Department that the Na Ala Hele Advisory Council is the appropriate forum for the discussion of safe use of hunting dogs on trails that cross public hunting areas.

     Your Committees have amended this measure accordingly, by:

     (1)  Amending its title to read:  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;

     (2)  Deleting WHEREAS clause language related to aggressive hunting dogs, lost or injured hunting dogs, trail check-ins, and the need for and failure to address concerns;

     (3)  Adding WHEREAS clause language related to the benefits provided by hunters and hunting dogs;

     (4)  Amending the first BE IT RESOLVED clause to reflect the amended title;

     (5)  Reducing in the working group the number of specific organizations to be included, and adding the Hawaii Rifle Association and other interested stakeholder groups;

     (6)  Adding a report to the 2010 Legislature; and

     (7)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Higher Education and Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 60, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 60, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Higher Education and Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________ CLAYTON HEE, Chair

____________________________ JILL TOKUDA, Chair