STAND. COM. REP. NO. 365

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 345

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Culture & Arts, to which was referred H.B. No. 345 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE SHRIMP,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to designate the ʻōpae ʻula as the state shrimp to help protect the anchialine pool ecosystems in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action; Hawaiʻi Ocean Legislative Task Force; Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund; Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo; Pacific Whale Foundation; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaiʻi Reef and Ocean Coalition.

Your Committee finds that ʻōpae ʻula are an endemic species found in abundance in healthy anchialine pools in the State. Your Committee also finds that anchialine pools are considered culturally sacred and should be protected. Your Committee believes that this measure will raise awareness of the protection efforts of anchialine pools by designating ʻōpae ʻula as the state shrimp.

Your Committee amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Culture & Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 345, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 345, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

JEANNE KAPELA, Chair