STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1786-12

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

RE:   S.C.R. No. 151

      S.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 151, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND OFFICE OF PLANNING TO STREAMLINE THE PERMITTING PROCESS FOR THE RESTORATION OF HAWAIIAN FISHPONDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to facilitate the preservation and repair of Hawaiian fishponds and to provide an opportunity to increase supplies of certain fish which will make Hawaii more food-secure and will increase sustainable economic development opportunities for rural communities.  Specifically, this measure:

     (1)  Urges the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Health, and Office of Planning to streamline the permitting process for the restoration of Hawaiian fishponds;

     (2)  Requests these departments and office to collaborate with community organizations and Native Hawaiian aquaculturalists to consider certain criteria and rules to facilitate the restoration of Hawaiian fishponds; and

     (3)  Requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Health, and Office of Planning to submit their recommendations and draft legislation for a streamlined permit process for the restoration of Hawaiian fishponds to the 2013 Legislature.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Department of Health, Kuliouou/Kalani Iki Neighborhood Board #2, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Kuakini Hawaiian Civic Club of Kona, Livable Hawaii Kai Hui, Waimanalo Hawaiian Homes Association, Oahu Council of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, eleven individual students from Moanalua High School, and several concerned individuals supported the measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources supported the intent of the measure.

     Your Committee notes that streamlining the permitting process for the restoration of Hawaiian fishponds is an ongoing process with the Department of Land and Natural Resources and encourages additional community input, especially from the Native Hawaiian community, as this measure moves through the legislative process.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 151, S.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to the Committees on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources and Energy & Environmental Protection.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

FAYE HANOHANO, Chair