STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2601

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2933

       S.D. 2

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2933, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO OCEAN SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Require the Department of Land and Natural Resources to adopt and enforce stricter rules and regulations that protect ocean users; and

     (2)  Appropriate moneys for swim zone buoys at Kamaole Beach.

     Written comments in support of this measure were submitted by the County Council of the County of Maui, and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that there were at least four reported accidents in 2011 that involved swimmers and divers being struck by boats.  The increased recreational and commercial activities in Hawaii's near-shore waters have led to safety concerns, especially at Kamaole beach on the island of Maui.  Your Committee finds that there is a compelling need to provide safe and suitable areas for residents and visitors to enjoy the waters.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the appropriation amount to an unspecified sum; and

     (2)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for style and clarity.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2933, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2933, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair