STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1917

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 122

H.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 Water and Land, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 122, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO ESTABLISH A COLLABORATIVE WORKING GROUP TO SURVEY, IDENTIFY, AND MONITOR CULTURALLY SENSITIVE SHORELINES IMPACTED BY EROSION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish a collaborative working group to survey, identify, and monitor culturally sensitive shorelines impacted by erosion.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Your Committee finds that Native Hawaiian iwi kupuna were historically interred along sandy shoreline areas which are now increasingly threatened by coastal erosion. Your Committee further finds that iwi discovered via shoreline erosion are frequently located in the high-water mark, making it difficult to preserve them in place. Iwi found in shoreline areas also fall under the jurisdiction of the State, complicating quick reinterment efforts within the immediate vicinity due to the need for permission from adjacent properties. Your Committee also finds that an inter-division program to coordinate efforts among state and county agencies is necessary to ensure the protection and restoration of Native Hawaiian burial sites and iwi kupuna affected by coastal erosion. Accordingly, this measure requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish a collaborative working group to survey, identify, and monitor culturally sensitive shorelines impacted by erosion and provide proper care for the iwi.

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. 122, H.D. 1, 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