STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1700

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 1999

                                   RE:  S.C.R. No. 43
                                        S.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred
S.C.R. No. 43, S.D. 1, entitled:

     "SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT
     FOR PROPOSED ARTIFICIAL REEF AND DERELICT WRECK PLACEMENT ON
     THE VOYAGER SUBMARINES, HAWAII DIVE SITE, OAHU, HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to support the proposed
artificial reef and derelict wreck placement at the Oahu dive
site of the Voyager submarines, and the issuance of a
nonexclusive easement for the use of the state-owned submerged
lands.

     Voyager Submarines Hawaii has already obtained a provisional
permit from the Department of the Army and the Army Corps of
Engineers is prepared to issue a valid permit authorizing the
installation of the reef.  The project has also received
approvals from the Department of Health and the Office of
Planning.  The artificial reef will also provide six mooring
balls for dive boats to minimize damage to the growing reef and
provide additional access to the site.

     Your Committee finds that establishing an artificial reef
that promotes coral and fish growth where there is little live
coral growth on the seabed and the fishery is depleted is

 
a                                                     SCR43 SD1
 
 
 
                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1700
                                   Page 2


consistent with the main aspects of the State's environmental
policy.  At the same time this artificial reef adds value to the
economy by providing additional interesting dive sites for
residents and visitors alike.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your
Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 43,
S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

                                 Respectfully submitted on behalf
                                 of the members of the Committee
                                 on Ways and Means,



                                 ________________________________
                                 CAROL FUKUNAGA, Co-Chair



                                 ________________________________
                                 ANDREW LEVIN, Co-Chair

 
a                                                     SCR43 SD1