THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

82

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE RESOLUTION

 

requesting an update of the hawaii ocean resources management plan (ormp) to achieve a comprehensive and integrated ocean and coastal resources management approach for hawaii.

 

WHEREAS, the 1991 Hawaii Ocean Resources Management Plan sets forth guiding principles and overall recommendations for the State to achieve comprehensive and integrated ocean and coastal resources management; and

WHEREAS, the Plan was adopted under Chapter 228 (the Ocean Resources Management Act), Hawaii Revised Statutes (subsequently repealed and recodified in Chapter 205A), to identify critical issues, prepare technical papers and suggest policies and implementing actions for ten sector specific areas including: research and education, ocean recreation, harbors, fisheries, marine ecosystem protection, beaches and coastal erosion, waste management, aquaculture, energy and marine minerals; and

WHEREAS, Chapter 205A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, includes legislative policy guidance that supports Hawaii's development and maintenance of a comprehensive integrated management system that ensures the enhancement and sustainability of its ocean and coastal resources; and

WHEREAS, extensive public participation and input on ocean and coastal issues was conducted in the preparation of the Plan; and

WHEREAS, the planning effort revealed several critical concerns about the existing management of Hawaii's ocean and coasts by State and county agencies, resulting in recommendations for a more integrated and comprehensive approach, increased funding, better information, and a more proactive approach to resource management; and

WHEREAS, the plan was adopted by the Hawaii State Legislature in 1995 as Act 104, Session Laws of Hawaii 1995; and

WHEREAS, a report to the Twentieth Legislature, Regular Session of 1999, entitled "1998 Review of the Hawaii Ocean Resources Management Plan" was conducted in response to significant changes in the State of Hawaii that impacted the ability of the agencies to function and to meet policy objectives as described in the Plan; and

WHEREAS, the 1998 report identified seven general issues including: (1) the lack of strategic planning; (2) inadequate enforcement; (3) lack of recognition of ecological and economic importance of ocean and coastal issues in Hawaii; (4) inadequate access to information about resource management activities; (5) outdated management regimes for ocean and coastal management; (6) inadequate management capabilities and lack of administrative efficiency; and (7) inadequate administrative flexibility for resource managers; and

WHEREAS, among the recommendations of the 1998 report was the need for the updating of the 1991 Hawaii Ocean Resources Management Plan and the convening of a conference to develop a Hawaii oceans strategic initiative; and

WHEREAS, the Office of Planning, Hawaii Coastal Zone Management Program, in coordination with the Marine and Coastal Zone Advocacy Council (MACZAC), Ocean Resources Management Plan Implementation Working Group, and international, federal, state, county, and private partners have been diligently working on the Hawaii Summit-to-Sea 2003: Global Strategies for Integrated Ocean and Coastal Resources management Conference scheduled in October 2003 as a centerpiece event for outreach and education as well as hosting pre- and post-summit meetings and other activities aimed at increasing awareness, building new partnerships, assessing and prioritizing ocean and coastal resource management issues, and revising the policy and objectives of the 1991 plan; and

WHEREAS, the Office of Planning as defined under Section 205A-62, Hawaii Revised Statutes, has the duty and responsibility to review and periodically update the Hawaii Ocean Resources Management Plan; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-Second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, that this body supports the Office of Planning, Hawaii Coastal Zone Management Program in its continued efforts related to the Hawaii Summit-to-Sea 2003 Conference and coordination and implementation of a revised ocean resources management plan; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Year 2003 shall be declared "Hawaii Summit-to-Sea" in recognition of the integral, resources management link from mauka (mountain) to makai (sea); and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all relevant federal, state, and county agencies, as well as the private sector, shall be actively engaged and involved in the Hawaii Summit-to-Sea 2003 Conference and coordination of the plan update; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the policy guidelines listed below and prescribed by the Legislature in Chapter 205A, Part IV, Hawaii Revised Statutes, that supported Hawaii's development and maintenance of a comprehensive, integrated management resource system be pursued throughout these efforts:

(1) Exercise an overall conservation ethic in the use of Hawaii's ocean resources;

(2) Encourage ocean resources development that is environmentally sound and economically beneficial;

(3) Provide for efficient and coordinated ocean resources and activities management;

(4) Assert the interest of this State as a partner with federal agencies in the sound management of the ocean resources within the United States exclusive economic zone;

(5) Promote research, study, and understanding of ocean processes, marine life, and other ocean resources to acquire the scientific inventory information necessary to understand the impacts and relationship of ocean development activities to ocean and coastal resources; and

(6) Encourage research and development of new, innovative marine technologies for exploration and utilization of ocean resources; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Office of Planning, Hawaii Coastal Zone Management Program shall provide a briefing and status report of these efforts not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2004; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of the Office of Planning, who in turn is requested to transmit copies to any other federal, state, or county agency, or any other private entity the director finds appropriate to this initiative.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Ocean Resources Management Plan