HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	159
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

urging the department of land and natural resources and the honolulu police department to establish an agreement authorizing police officers to engage in routine enforcement activities on state beaches.

     WHEREAS, the Department of Land and Natural Resources has jurisdiction over many beaches on the island of Oahu, including various beaches in Kailua, Waimanalo, Hawaii Kai, Kahala, Ala Moana, Ewa, Waianae, and the North Shore; and

     WHEREAS, its Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement generally has the authority and responsibility for enforcing laws on state beaches; and

     WHEREAS, the Honolulu Police Department responds to emergencies and serious crimes in progress on state beaches but does not generally patrol those beaches or enforce laws and regulations there in non-emergency situations; and

     WHEREAS, there sometimes exists a lack of clarity regarding the duties and jurisdiction of each law enforcement entity; and

     WHEREAS, the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement lacks the resources to routinely and adequately enforce laws at all state beaches on Oahu; and

WHEREAS, the Honolulu Police Department often is responsible for enforcing laws in city parks and other areas near or adjacent to state beaches on Oahu; and

     WHEREAS, each law enforcement entity would benefit from an agreement establishing clear policies regarding jurisdiction and enforcement authorities and duties on state beaches; and

     WHEREAS, authorizing the Honolulu Police Department to engage in routine enforcement activities on state beaches would enhance public safety; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2016, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Honolulu Police Department are urged to establish an agreement clarifying their respective authorities and duties and authorizing Honolulu police officers to engage in routine enforcement activities on state beaches on Oahu; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Mayor and the Chairperson of the Council of the City and County of Honolulu, and the Chief of the Honolulu Police Department.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Urging