STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1394

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 40

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.R. No. 40, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF USING AUTONOMOUS UNMANNED SURFACE VESSEL TECHNOLOGY TO DETECT AND CLEAN UP OCEAN DEBRIS BEFORE IT REACHES HAWAII'S REEFS AND BEACHES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Land and Natural Resources, in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to explore the possibility of using autonomous unmanned surface vessel technology to detect and clean up ocean debris before it reaches Hawaii's reefs and beaches.

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

     Your Committee finds that the problem of ocean debris must be addressed.  The detrimental effects of ocean debris, particularly debris that does not break down readily, are well-known.

     Your Committee further finds that innovative solutions are needed to effectively protect the oceans, reefs, shores, and aquatic life from debris.  Your Committee notes that a Kailua inventor has developed an autonomous unmanned surface vessel system that may be capable of cleaning up floating ocean debris.  Your Committee finds that using this system to address the ocean debris problem is worthy of further study.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 40, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair