STAND. COM. REP. NO.1656

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: S.R. No. 63

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, Energy and Environment, to which was referred S.R. No. 63 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE TO GATHER PUBLIC INPUT AND RECOMMEND STATUTORY CAVE LAW,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request that the Department of Land and Natural Resources establish a task force of stakeholders to devise a workable statutory plan for ownership and use of Hawaii's caves.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii has an extensive network of complex volcanic tubes that are unique to the islands. Some of these caves were used by pre-contact Hawaiians as burial caves and are marked with petroglyphs. In addition, these caves are home to unique ecosystems and endemic and endangered species that have adapted to the environment.

Your Committee also finds that Hawaii has no statute regarding caves that prevents them from being damaged or misused. Without statutory protection, this unique resource may be forever altered or destroyed. Establishment of a task force on this issue would assist the Legislature in determining the best course of action in protecting Hawaii's caves.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Energy and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 63 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, Energy and Environment,

____________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair