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THE SENATE |
S.C.R. NO. |
45 |
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TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
STRONGLY URGING THE COMMISSION ON WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TO GIVE THE SAME LEVEL OF PROTECTION TO WATER FOR AGRICULTURE AS THAT GIVEN TO DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION, THE PROTECTION OF TRADITIONAL AND CUSTOMARY HAWAIIAN RIGHTS, AND THE PROTECTION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE TO ACHIEVE A PROPER ECOLOGICAL BALANCE.
WHEREAS, water is a natural resource that is essential for life and when used with care and understanding, is a benefit to the community for growing crops, drinking, and for the preservation of habitat and ecological resources and our way of life; and
WHEREAS, as an island state far removed from any landmass, Hawaii is particularly vulnerable to disruption in its food supply. With approximately 85 per cent to 90 per cent of its food imported from sources outside of Hawaii, Hawaii is one of the least self-sufficient states in the union and expends over $3,000,000,000 annually for imported food, money that if spent in Hawaii could provide a tremendous stimulus to the local economy; and
WHEREAS, our state Constitution specifically calls for the conservation and protection of agricultural lands, promotion of diversified agriculture, and assuring agricultural self sufficiency; and
WHEREAS, agriculture depends on water to be viable. Agriculture, and the water it needs, is a part of the public trust; and
WHEREAS, water for agriculture impacts our core value that Hawai‘i should remain a viable agricultural state in the midst of continued urbanization; and
WHEREAS, agriculture contributes to the visitor industry by maintaining vast green open spaces and the rural lifestyle that visitors associate with their image of Hawaii; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2010, the House of Representatives concurring, believe because of its importance, water for agriculture should be given the same level of protection as that given to domestic consumption, the protection of traditional and customary Hawaiian rights, and the protection of fish and wildlife to achieve a proper ecological balance; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Commission on Water Resource Management.
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OFFERED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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BY REQUEST |
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Strongly Urging The Commission On Water Resource Management To Give The Same Level Of Protection To Water For Agriculture As That Given To Domestic Consumption, The Protection Of Traditional And Customary Hawaiian Rights, And The Protection Of Fish And Wildlife To Achieve A Proper Ecological Balance