STAND. COM. REP. NO.1635

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: S.R. No. 99

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations, to which was referred S.R. No. 99, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF THE IMPACTS OF INCREASED PUBLIC ACCESS ON KA`AWALOA AND KEALAKEKUA BAY, ISLAND OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to assess the impacts of visitors, such as hikers, horseback tour operators, fishermen, boaters, tour boat operators, snorkelers, and others, on the significant resources of Ka`awaloa, and to examine the carrying capacity and levels of acceptable change.

Your Committee received comments regarding this measure from DLNR.

Your Committee finds that in recent years, DLNR has been addressing the planning and management needs for the lands of Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park and the waters of Kealakekua Bay. As a Marine Life Conservation District, management jurisdiction of the bay involves the Division of Aquatic Resources, as well as the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation.

Your Committee further finds that the Boating Division has drafted rules for Kealakekua Bay that establish the carrying capacity for boats in the bay as one means of avoiding irreversible damage to the resources and promoting an enjoyable, safe recreational experience. These draft rules are based on community input, and propose to manage boating activities in the bay through permits, and restrict the landings at Ka`awaloa.

In addition, the Division of State Parks has developed a conceptual plan for the 181-acre park around the bay, including identification of a preferred visitation pattern and management strategies for the cultural resources at both Ka`awaloa and Napo`opo`o. However, the implementation of these management measures has been delayed by pending environmental and regulatory approvals.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 99, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations,

____________________________

CAL KAWAMOTO, Chair