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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.C.R. NO. |
181 |
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TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES, LAND DIVISION, TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO REDIRECT STORM WATER RUNOFF FROM STATE LANDS ADJACENT TO THE HANAPEPE SALT PONDS AWAY FROM THE SALT PANS.
WHEREAS, the Hanapepe Salt Ponds, at the mouth of Hanapepe Valley on the southwest coast of Kaua‘i, are home to ancient Hawaiian salt ponds; and
WHEREAS, the Hanapepe Salt Pans are listed on the Hawaii Register of Historic Places and are an extremely important cultural resource to the community; and
WHEREAS, salt from the Hanapepe Salt Ponds is created by accessing underground saltwater from a deep ancient source through wells and transferring the saltwater to shallow pools called wai ku, then into salt pans that are shaped carefully with clay from the area, and dried with brine shrimp to add sweetness to the salt; and
WHEREAS, this type of salt-making is unique and authentic, and harvested traditional Hawaiian sea salt mixed with ‘alaea, a form of red dirt from Koke‘e, is used for traditional Hawaiian ceremonies to cleanse, purify, and bless, as well as healing rituals for medicinal purposes; and
WHEREAS, over the years, the Hanapepe Salt Ponds have been threatened by the uses of surrounding land, which pollute surface water runoff that flows into the salt ponds; and
WHEREAS, Hanapepe Bay, from breakwater to shore
and near shore waters, has been placed on the federal Clean Water Act Section
303(d), 2002, 2004, and 2006 final lists of impaired waters in Hawaii for its
excessive levels of total suspended solids, nutrients and temperature, and
toxic substances; and
WHEREAS, a close examination of the Hanapepe Salt Ponds is necessary to
determine how best to prevent further decline, specifically with regards to
storm water runoff; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2010, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Land Division (DLNR), is requested to develop a plan to redirect storm water runoff from state lands adjacent to the Hanapepe Salt Ponds away from the salt pans, in consultation with the salt makers; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DLNR is requested to submit the plan and a timetable for its implementation to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2011; 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.
Hanapepe Salt Ponds; Runoff