STAND. COM. REP. NO.1038-02

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: H.R. No. 143

H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water and Land Use, to which was referred H.R. No. 143 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A FRESHWATER FISHERY AT THE WAHIAWA RESERVOIR, OAHU,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this resolution is to request the Department of Land and Natural Resources to convene a Task Force to determine the feasibility of establishing a freshwater fishery at the Wahiawa Reservoir, Oahu.

Your committee finds that recreational fishing is a popular sport enjoyed not only by local residents, but visitors to this State as well. The Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreational Area offers one of the few freshwater fishing opportunities in the State.

Your committee further finds that the discharge of treated effluent into the Reservoir from the Wahiawa Wastewater Treatment Plant is contributing to fish kills and the closing of the Waialua Sugar Company, which no longer uses the water from the Reservoir, has caused the water level in the Reservoir to rise, impeding fishing from the banks. The revitalization of the Reservoir provides an opportunity for economic growth through fishing tournaments, guided fishing tours, related businesses, including boat rentals, fishing equipment and even fish hatcheries.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism, the Hawaii Freshwater Fishing Association and Wahiawa Middle School Fish Hatchery testified in support of this measure.

Your committee has amended this resolution by clarifying that the Governor is requested to appoint the members of the Task Force and to allow for the flexibility in the number of those appointments.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land Use that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 143, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 143, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water and Land Use,

 

____________________________

EZRA KANOHO, Chair