HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

137

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

Requesting the department of land and natural resources to REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE ON CERTAIN aquatic surf resources in the state including the cost of funding a study on the feasibility of constructing artificial reefs.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, pursuant to section 187A-2(3), Hawaii Revised Statutes, the Department of Land and Natural Resources is responsible for the establishment, management, and regulation of artificial reefs in the waters of the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, pursuant to section 187A-2(6), Hawaii Revised Statutes, the Department of Land and Natural Resources is also responsible for the gathering and compiling of information and statistics concerning the habitat and character of, and increase and decrease in, aquatic resources in the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, surfing is the official sport of Hawaii and Hawaii is known worldwide for its excellent surfing conditions; and

 

     WHEREAS, the sport of surfing has increased in popularity extensively over the last century with studies suggesting that over one hundred thousand surfers live on Oahu alone, and future growth of the sport is expected; and

 

     WHEREAS, most surf that is formed near shore is caused by waves breaking over coral reefs; and

 

     WHEREAS, surfing areas, particularly on Oahu, are becoming increasingly crowded and unsafe due to the large number of people in a small area of the water; and

 

     WHEREAS, technology has increased in recent years to the point where creating an artificial reef for surfing may no longer be cost-prohibitive; and

 

     WHEREAS, studies of benefits associated with the construction of artificial reefs for surfing at various locations around the world have all shown significant benefits compared to the costs; and

 

     WHEREAS, artificial reefs also provide an ideal habitat for marine life, such as fish and coral to propagate and proliferate, thus enhancing fish populations, marine ecosystems, and recreational opportunities in the surrounding ocean area; and

 

     WHEREAS, artificial reefs also reduce the harmful erosive effects of storm waves on the beach, thereby protecting the coastline; and

 

     WHEREAS, these artificial reefs enhance the health and wellness of the community by providing the local population with greater access to the sport of surfing while also reducing congestion at popular surf spots; and

 

     WHEREAS, artificial reefs for surfing are usually composed of submarine rock structures or highly durable mega-geobags filled with sand; and

 

     WHEREAS, an area that could benefit from the installation of additional artificial reefs for surfing is the Waianae coastline on the island of Oahu; and

 

     WHEREAS, an area that is frequented by many recreational and commercial fishing boats as well as surfers, Waianae is in need of establishing additional means of maintaining and hopefully increasing its fish and marine life population as well as increasing its surfing opportunities; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to report to the Legislature, not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2008, on the following:

 

     (1) Information and statistics concerning the character of aquatic surf resources in the State; and

 

     (2) The estimated cost of a study to identify potential locations for artificial reefs designed for surfing and the cost of constructing such reefs; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to designate the Waianae coast on the island of Oahu as its initial location for an artificial reef study; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

Department of Land and Natural Resources; Study; Aquatic Surf Resources; Artificial Reefs