STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1010-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.C.R. No. 65

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. 65 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE TO ASSIST WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF RULES TO ENSURE GREATER PROTECTION OF THE STATE'S OCEAN RESOURCES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources to establish a task force to assist the Department of Land and Natural Resources in developing rules to ensure greater protection of the State's ocean resources.  This measure also requests that the Department of Land and Natural Resources refrain from implementing any rules relating to fishing, gathering, or ocean resources within the coastal areas and nearshore waters of the island of Niihau prior to the task force's submittal of its report.

Hawaii Goes Fishing, Big Island Fisheries Alliance, and several individuals provided testimony in support of this measure.  The Puako Community Association, South Kohala Reef Alliance, Kua‘aina Ulu ‘Auamo, The Nature Conservancy, and a few individuals provided testimony in opposition to this measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Aha Moku Advisory Committee, Ocean Tourism Coalition, and a few individuals provided comments on this measure.

     Several matters warrant attention as this measure proceeds through the legislative process.  Your Committee notes the Ocean Tourism Coalition's request that a member of the ocean tourism industry be included on the task force.  Your Committee further notes concerns raised that this measure establishes a small, politically appointed task force that may have a disproportionate influence on Hawaii's marine rules without direct knowledge of the particular resources, people, or traditions of the communities affected by the rules passed by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.  Finally, your Committee notes that the Department of Land and Natural Resources has stated that it already consults with organizations to better manage the State's resources, including the Aha Moku Advisory Committee and that a task force's usefulness is more limited when advising on wide, broad-reaching matters.

     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. 65 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

FAYE P. HANOHANO, Chair