STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1780

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2021

 

RE:   S.C.R. No. 159

      S.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 159, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO EXAMINE AND CONSIDER PURCHASING REEF INSURANCE TO SUPPORT NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS TO PROTECT HAWAII'S COASTLINES AND COASTAL INFRASTRUCTURE FROM NATURAL DISASTERS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Land and Natural Resources to examine and consider purchasing reef insurance to protect the State's coastlines and coastal infrastructure from natural disasters.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and The Nature Conservancy.

 

Your Committee finds that reefs are the lifeblood of the State's economy, providing millions of dollars in revenue from fishing and tourism, as well as coastal protection, cultural renewal, and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.  Your Committee also finds that Hawaii's natural resources are affected by a variety of environmental and anthropogenic factors, including impacts from climate change such as rising and warming seas and increasing storms and drought.  Reefs are the first line of defense against the impacts of natural disasters to the State, such as marine heatwaves, beach erosion, and chronic flooding.  Your Committee recognizes that reef insurance creates opportunities to protect Hawaii's coastline and coastal infrastructure from natural disasters and repair reefs after a natural disaster.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 159, S.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair