STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1444

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.C.R. No. 98

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 98 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO WORK WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO DEVELOP GUIDELINES FOR BEST PRACTICES FOR THE OPERATION OF MARINE MAMMAL TOURS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Land and Natural Resources (Department) to work with stakeholders to develop guidelines for best practices for the operation of marine mammal tours.

The Ocean Tourism Coalition and two individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Department provided comments on this measure.

     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. 98 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Tourism.

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

____________________________

KANIELA ING, Chair