STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1253-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.C.R. No. 170

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 170 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO ADOPT RULES TO MANAGE MANTA RAY DIVE SITES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules to manage manta ray dive sites to ensure that safety and order are maintained at these areas.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources; Fair Wind, Inc.; Ocean Wings Hawaii, Inc.; and Marine and Coastal Zone Advocacy Council provided testimony in support of this measure.  The Ocean Tourism Coalition and Hawaiian Islands Recreational Scuba Association provided comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 170 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Water & Land.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

FAYE P. HANOHANO, Chair