STAND. COM. REP. NO. 4024

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 82

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 82 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF EXPANDING THE MOUNT KA‘ALA NATURAL AREA RESERVE TO INCLUDE THE SLOPES OF MOUNT KA‘ALA, PARTICULARLY IN THE WAIALUA DIRECTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Department of Land and Natural Resources to explore the possibility of expanding the Mount Kaala Natural Area Reserve to include the slopes of Mount Kaala, particularly in the Waialua direction.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that the Mount Kaala Natural Area Reserve was established by Executive Order No. 3099 on November 14, 1981, placing one thousand one hundred acres of rugged mountain terrain with a summit plateau, ridges, and gulches housing lowland forests, rich in native species, under the control and management of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. The Mount Kaala Natural Area Reserve is located in the Waianae Mountains on Oahu and encompass the island's highest point, at a four thousand twenty-foot elevation descending to one thousand two hundred-foot elevation.

Your Committee further finds that according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Mount Kaala Natural Area Reserve is host to twelve natural communities, which house native forests, plants, and animals. While the Mount Kaala Natural Area Reserve includes feral pig and non-native weed control, ongoing volunteer efforts have been useful in promoting environmental awareness and assistance with natural resource management. However, to safeguard the endemic species and complex ecosystems in the Mount Kaala Natural Area Reserve, maintain the reserve in a pristine condition, and promote Hawaiian cultural preservation and native gathering rights, expansion of the area encompassing the reserve should be considered to include the slopes of Mount Kaala, particularly in the Waialua direction.

Your Committee notes the testimony of the Department of Land and Natural Resources regarding the expansion of the Mount Kaala Natural Area Reserve. While the Department of Land and Natural Resources is willing to consider expansion, there is uncertainty regarding ownership and zoning of the impacted lands. Therefore, further information is required for the Department of Land and Natural Resources to gauge the feasibility of expanding the Mount Kaala Natural Area Reserve.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 82, and recommends its adoption.

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

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair