HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

65

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE to assist with the development of rules to ensure greater protection of the state's ocean resources.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, over time, recreational and subsistence activities, including fishing, gathering, leisure tours, and other related activities impacting the State's waters, have intersected in a manner that warrants state review and oversight of coastal areas; and

 

     WHEREAS, the tourism industry heavily impacts the State's ocean resources, bringing in over one hundred thousand visitors between 2010 and 2011 via cruise ships entering Hawaii's ports, according to the Hawaii Ocean Resources Management Plan; and

 

     WHEREAS, the commercialization of fisheries, the demanding market of quality seafood products, and the shortage of self-sustaining resources require a thorough and extensive review of current ocean management practices; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's ocean resources are important to the sustainability and livelihood of Hawaii's people and a symbolic expression of Hawaii's rich culture; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State has recognized the importance of the use of shoreline areas for the benefit of the people of Hawaii as well as for Native Hawaiian traditional and customary gathering practices; and

 

     WHEREAS, proper procedures and regulations are needed to ensure that the State's ocean resources are protected from destruction and diminishment; and

 

     WHEREAS, the growth of population and infrastructure development has had a profound impact on Hawaii's coastal waters, thereby requiring appropriate regulations for the development of sustainable resources, renewable energy, and technological advances that have changed the way Hawaii's ocean resources are protected and preserved; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State's limited resources are highly valued by residents and visitors alike and therefore efforts must be made to delineate appropriate regulations and guidelines to address the various issues and concerns regarding the State's coastal areas and nearshore waters; and

 

     WHEREAS, a task force consisting of representatives of the State and various stakeholders is needed to engage in meaningful discourse to establish and implement administrative rules and guidelines to facilitate a fair and informed update of current ocean management practices and procedures; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2014, the Senate concurring, that the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources is requested to establish a task force to assist the Department of Land and Natural Resources in developing rules to ensure greater protection of the State's ocean resources; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources is requested to include on the task force:

 

     (1)  Two members appointed by the Governor;

 

     (2)  Two members appointed by the President of the Senate;

 

     (3)  Two members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

 

     (4)  One member to be selected by the members appointed pursuant to paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), from a list of three candidates provided by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to:

 

     (1)  Consult with persons who have expertise in host culture konohiki practices;

 

     (2)  Examine empirical and scientific data compiled by credible academic and scientific resources; and

 

     (3)  Conduct public outreach meetings on each island of the State, in consultation with the Chairperson of the Ahu Moku Advisory Committee, to assist the Department of Land and Natural Resources in developing rules to ensure greater protection of the State's ocean resources; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to provide administrative, professional, technical, and clerical support to the task force; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to report its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Sessions of 2015, 2016, and 2017; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to refrain from implementing any rules relating to fishing, gathering, or ocean resources within the coastal areas and nearshore waters of the island of Niihau prior to the task force's submittal of its report; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Governor of the State of Hawaii, and the Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

Ocean Resource Management; Task Force;