STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2058-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.C.R. No. 203

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Culture, Arts, & International Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 203 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO DEVELOP PROGRAMS TO RECAPTURE, RETAIN, AND SHARE THE CULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL KNOWLEDGE OF LIMU KALA,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Land and Natural Resources to develop programs to recapture, retain, and share cultural and environmental knowledge of limu kala.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Kua‘āina Ulu ‘Auamo, Limu Hui, Marine Science Learning Center at Wai‘anae High School, Mālama Pūpūkea-Waimea, Friends of Hanauma Bay, Hawai‘i Reef and Ocean Coalition, and five individuals.

Your Committee finds that limu plays an important and vital role in the health of reef ecosystems and is a critical part of many marine life habitats. Your Committee further finds that limu kala plays a similarly important role in Native Hawaiian culture. Limu is a vitamin-, mineral-, and fiber-rich food source; was used in traditional medicine to treat minor cuts and scratches; and is used in cultural ceremonies. This measure addresses the steep decline in limu by urging the Department of Land and Natural Resources to develop programs to recapture, retain, and share cultural and environmental knowledge of limu kala.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Culture, Arts, & International Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 203 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Culture, Arts, & International Affairs,

____________________________

CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES, Chair