STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1881

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.R. No. 191

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 Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.R. No. 191 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE TO PRIORITIZE THE RESTORATION AND PROTECTION OF ADDITIONAL WETLANDS AND ANCHIALINE POOLS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife to prioritize the restoration and protection of additional wetlands and anchialine pools.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Kihei Community Association; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that wetlands are a vital part of Hawaii's environment and ecosystem, serving as natural filters for stream, storm, and urban runoff and providing natural habitats for flora, fauna, and endangered species. Your Committee further finds that anchialine pools are aquatic ecosystems that are home to rare, endangered species and support coral reef and ocean health. This measure encourages the protection and environmental health of wetlands and anchialine pools in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the Department of Land and Natural Resources, not its Division of Forestry and Wildlife, is urged to prioritize the restoration and protection of additional wetlands;

(2) Clarifying that the Division of Aquatic Resources, rather than the Division of Agricultural Resources, of the Department of Land and Natural Resources is urged to apply protective policies afforded to wetlands to the State's anchialine pools;

(3) Clarifying that the County of Maui is requested to ensure that the protection of wetlands, especially wetlands in Kihei, Maui, is prioritized over development concerns;

(4) Amending the list of recipients of certified copies of this measure;

(5) Amending its title in accordance with its amended purpose; and

(6) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 191, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 191, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair