STAND. COM. REP. NO. 355

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 86

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 Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 86 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources for the establishment of one full-time equivalent permanent Program Specialist V position to coordinate and implement actions necessary to meet the goals and objectives of the Makai Watch Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo; Hawaiʻi Ocean Legislative Task Force; Malama Pupukea-Waimea; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union; and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that the Makai Watch Program has been instrumental in fostering community engagement and effective co-management of nearshore marine resources. Expanding this program, including establishing a permanent statewide coordinator, is critical to ensuring the long-term sustainability of Hawaii's marine ecosystems amidst growing environmental pressures.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

(2) 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 Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 86, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 86, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair