Report Title:

University of Hawaii; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to a task force attached to the University of Hawaii school of ocean and earth science and technology to provide recommendations to prevent, mitigate, and reverse beach erosion at Kailua beach.

 


THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1279

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Kailua beach on the island of Oahu is a unique asset of the State that is the product of a decades-long natural process of accretion.  For the past several decades, the beachfront of Kailua beach has increased to the benefit of beach users from around the State and the nation.  Kailua beach is special within the State, as one of only a few beaches that is fully urban, accreting, and entirely unarmored.  However, this asset remains subject to erosion related to sand deficiencies at Kailua beach park, as well as future impacts related to sea-level rise.  Because the southern end of Kailua beach is now subject to long-term erosion, which is migrating northward with time, it is imperative to conserve and protect the legacy of Kailua beach by minimizing current and future impacts of shoreline erosion.

     SECTION 2.  There is established in the University of Hawaii school of ocean and earth science and technology for administrative purposes the Kailua beach erosion task force.  The task force shall be composed of six members as follows:

     (1)  One member who shall represent the United States Army Corps of Engineers and who shall be appointed by the dean of the University of Hawaii school of ocean and earth science and technology;

     (2)  The mayor of the city and county of Honolulu or the mayor's designee;

     (3)  The chairperson of the board of land and natural resources or the chairperson's designee;

     (4)  The director of health or the director's designee;

     (5)  One member who shall represent the United States Geological Survey who shall be requested to serve, and who shall be appointed by the dean of the University of Hawaii school of ocean and earth science and technology; and

     (6)  The dean of the University of Hawaii school of ocean and earth science and technology or the dean's designee.

     The dean of the University of Hawaii school of ocean and earth science and technology shall serve as the chairperson of the task force.  The task force shall not be subject to chapters 91 and 92, Hawaii Revised Statutes; provided that the task force shall provide the public with thirty days notice of the date and agenda for their meetings.  The University of Hawaii school of ocean and earth science and technology shall provide technical support to the task force.

     SECTION 3.  The task force shall meet periodically over a two year period to discuss and recommend strategies to prevent, mitigate, and reverse beach erosion at Kailua beach, which shall be deemed to refer to that part of the east shoreline of the island of Oahu between Kawainui canal to the north and Alala point to the south, in the Koolaupoko district.

     SECTION 4.  The task force shall submit an interim report to the legislature, the governor, and the mayor of the city and county of Honolulu not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2010.  The report shall include but not be limited to a discussion of short-term measures that may be adopted in order to reduce and mitigate beach erosion at Kailua beach, including a recommendation to the department of land and natural resources to place a shoreline set back for the immediate protection of the public.

     SECTION 5.  The task force shall submit a final report to the legislature, the governor, and the mayor of the city and county of Honolulu not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2011.  The report shall include but not be limited to a discussion of and recommendations for short-term and long-term measures that may be adopted in order to reduce, mitigate, and reverse beach erosion at Kailua beach.

     SECTION 6.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $25,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2009-2010 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2010-2011 for the study of beach erosion at Kailua beach.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii school of ocean and earth science and technology for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall be effective upon approval provided that section 5 shall take effect on July 1, 2009.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________