STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1088

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 345

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 345, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish ʻōpae ʻula as the state shrimp.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo; Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund; Hawaiʻi Ocean Legislative Task Force; and five individuals.

Your Committee finds that anchialine pools, or wai ʻōpae, are ecologically and culturally significant ecosystems unique to Hawaii that serve as critical habitats for native species, including the endemic ʻōpae ʻula shrimp. Designating ʻōpae ʻula as the state shrimp will raise awareness about the importance of anchialine pool conservation and the threats posed by invasive species, coastal development, and pollution.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making a technical amendment for the purpose of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 345, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 345, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair