STAND. COM. REP. NO.3354

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: S.R. No. 95

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations and Water, Land, Energy and Environment, to which was referred S.R. No. 95 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO FACILITATE SECURING SPACE FOR THE COMMERCIAL HAUL OUT OF BOATS FOR SAFETY, COMPLIANCE INSPECTIONS, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to secure space for the commercial haul out and dry docking of boats for safety and compliance inspections on the islands of Kauai and Maui.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the DLNR, Paradise Cruise, Ltd., Trilogy Excursions, Capt. Andy's Sailing, Inc., and HoloHolo Charters, Inc.

Your Committees find that the United States Coast Guard requires all vessels in commercial operation to be inspected at least once every 18 months to determine their safety and seaworthiness. Inspection of a vessel's hull necessarily requires that the vessel is hauled out of the water, and if repairs are necessary, the vessel must be dry docked.

Currently, only the islands of Oahu and Hawaii have the facilities to accommodate the haul out and dry docking of vessels for inspections. Therefore, commercial boat operators on Kauai and Maui must make a long (and sometimes dangerous) channel crossing in order to receive an inspection.

DLNR testified that it is in the process of securing space on Kauai and Maui to haul out and dry dock vessels for inspection. Your Committees recognize DLNR's proactive approach to this issue, but believe that this measure will nonetheless assist in clearing any administrative hurdles.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations and Water, Land, Energy and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 95 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations and Water, Land, Energy and Environment,

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

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CAL KAWAMOTO, Chair