STAND. COM. REP. NO. 547

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 44

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 44 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORT, "THE CORAL REEF OF SOUTH MOLOKAI, HAWAII: PORTRAIT OF A SEDIMENT THREATENED FRINGING REEF", ENCOURAGING FEDERAL, STATE, AND COMMUNITY COOPERATION TO STEWARD THE SOUTH MOLOKAI REEF FISHERY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is:

     (1)  To express support of the Legislature for the United States Geological Survey Report, "The Coral Reef of South Moloka‘i, Hawaii:  Portrait of a Sediment Threatened Fringing Reef";

     (2)  To encourage federal and state agencies to recognize and support the conclusions of the report; and

     (3)  To express support of the Legislature for the community-based efforts to steward the South Moloka‘i Reef fishery and for the use of the scientific findings presented in the report and traditional Hawaiian conservation practices, to preserve the health of the South Moloka‘i Reef.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by one state agency, one organization, and two individuals.  Comments were submitted by one state agency.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that the South Moloka‘i Reef is the longest, most continuous, and densest coral reef in the main Hawaiian Islands, and that it is a unique area that should be studied and protected.  Your Committee also finds that the United States Geological Report entitled "The Coral Reef of South Moloka‘i, Hawaii:  Portrait of a Sediment Threatened Fringing Reef" is a product of successful collaboration among federal and state agencies that presents new, technical data on the South Moloka‘i Reef and recognizes the native Hawaiian concept of ahupua‘a management.

     Your Committee agrees with the conclusion of the report that the condition of the South Moloka‘i Reef can improve with enough will and local support, and appreciates the efforts of federal and state agencies and communities to study and steward the South Moloka‘i Reef and fishery.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 44 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair