STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 1892
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: H.R. No. 143
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. 143 entitled:
"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO ASSESS ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSERVATION INITIATIVES NEEDED TO TRANSITION VOLCANO, HAWAII, INTO A BIOSPHERE AREA THAT PROMOTES ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND COMMUNITY WELL-BEING AND COMPLEMENTS THE NEIGHBORING HAWAIIAN ISLANDS BIOSPHERE RESERVE,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Alaula Kipuka Refuge; Hawaiʻi Forest Farms; the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Island Group; Volcano Community Association; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Your Committee finds that Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated Hawaiian Islands Biosphere Reserve, meaning the area met certain standards related to conservation, sustainable development, and scientific research. Your Committee further finds that the high environmental standards met by Hawaii Volcanoes National Park starkly contrast with the greater Volcano, Hawaii area, which has been subject to invasive plant species, Rapid Ohia Death, forest degradation, and other environmental issues. This measure encourages a coordinated effort to develop initiatives needed to promote the environmental well-being of Volcano, Hawaii.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Clarifying that the Hawaiian Islands Biosphere Reserve was, but is not currently, designated as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) biosphere reserve;
(2) Changing the membership of the working group; and
(3) Amending the list of recipients of certified copies of this measure.
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. 143, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 143, H.D. 1.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,
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____________________________ NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair |