STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1832

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 309

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 309, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FISHPONDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish a fishpond inventory working group within the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program to create a literature review, inventory, and map of all fishponds on state land, and appropriate an unspecified sum to support the working group.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, County of Maui, Purple Maia, Hawaii Food + Policy, Alii Pauahi Hawaiian Civic Club, Kupu, Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, Kuaaina Ulu Auamo, Historic Hawaii Foundation, Hawaii Ocean legislative Task Force, The Nature Conservancy, Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Sierra Club of Hawaii, Friends of Hanauma Bay, Makani Hou O Kaloko-Honokohau, and ten individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the University of Hawaii System.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii's fishponds are invaluable cultural and ecological resources that support thriving coastal ecosystems, food security, and community resilience. The fishpond inventory working group established and funded by this measure will help inform the restoration and rejuvenation of additional fishponds throughout the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 309, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 309, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

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

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair