STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1390

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 115

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 115 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE IMPORTANCE OF MARINE ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION TO ACHIEVE THE STATE'S DECARBONIZATION GOALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to affirm:

(1) The importance of marine ecosystem restoration to achieve the State's decarbonization goals; and

(2) This body's commitment to:

(A) Supporting renewable energy and conservation projects that align carbon sequestration with marine ecosystem restoration; and

(B) Strengthening carbon accounting methodologies to assist in the quantification and reduction of direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi and Coalition Earth.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that healthy marine ecosystems can sequester carbon and reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide. According to testimony received by your Committee, scientific data shows that the potential benefits of coordinating marine conservation with carbon sequestration are significant and mutually reinforcing. This measure underscores the vital role that marine ecosystems play in achieving the State's ambitious decarbonization goals.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 115 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair