STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3005

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2020

       H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred H.B. No. 2020, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE CAUSES OF DECLINE IN LIMU AND REEF FISH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require and appropriate funds for the Department of Land and Natural Resources to contract for a study of macro algae along the Ewa coast of Oahu, analyze previous hydrologic studies in the Ewa coast of Oahu, and conduct and contract for studies to identify the causes of decline in limu and reef fish along the Ewa coast of Oahu.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Aha Moku Advisory Committee, and two individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from four individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the steep decline of limu and reef fish along the Ewa coast of Oahu is a threat to Hawaii's economy, culture, and ecology.  Your Committee further finds that the Legislature previously requested, through House Concurrent Resolution No. 119, S.D. 1 (Regular Session of 2015), that the Department of Land and Natural Resources provide a report of recommendations for actions to stop the decline of limu and reef fish along the Ewa coast.  In response to the request, the Department of Land and Natural Resources determined that it did not have sufficient past baseline data to compare the impacts of land use changes and nutrient changes on the limu and reef fish populations and recommended that studies be conducted to identify the causes of decline in limu and reef fish along the Ewa coast.  This measure provides the Department with resources to obtain the necessary data.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2020, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture,

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair