STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1642-18

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2018

RE: H.C.R. No. 34

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 34 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DIVISION OF STATE PARKS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO ASSESS POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS OCEAN CONDITIONS AT BEACH PARKS AND ENSURE THAT SAFETY CONCERNS ARE ADDRESSED PRIOR TO UNDERTAKING ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS THAT WILL INCREASE USE, AND TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS AT STATE BEACH PARKS ON THE DIVISION'S WEBSITE AND IN ITS PRINTED MATERIALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Division of State Parks (Division) of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to assess potentially hazardous ocean conditions at beach parks in the State and ensure that safety concerns are addressed prior to undertaking access improvements that will increase use of the beach parks. This measure also urges the Department to provide information about potentially hazardous conditions at state beach parks on the Division's website and in its printed materials.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, and a concerned individual testified in support of this measure.

Your Committee notes that at the public hearing on this measure, there were discussions regarding concerns over the proposed source of funding for the Division to conduct an assessment of the potentially hazardous ocean conditions at beach parks and to distribute that information on its website and in its printed materials. Should the Committee on Finance deliberate this measure further, your Committee on Ocean, Marine, and Hawaiian Affairs respectfully requests that it continue the discussion on the appropriate source of funding for the appropriation, as well as hiring criteria and minimum qualifications for the positions needed to conduct and distribute information on the assessment.

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. 34 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

KANIELA ING, Chair