Report Title:

Super Sucker; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates moneys to provide one year of funding for the full-time operation of the super sucker project in Kaneohe Bay and for the purchase of a portable super sucker unit.  (HB2828 HD1)

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2828

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE SUPER SUCKER.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that alien algae are overgrowing and killing coral reefs in Hawaii and threatening the fragile reef ecosystem.  Alien algae currently dominate large portions of Kaneohe Bay and Oahu's south shore as well as the south shores of Maui and Molokai.

     The Super Sucker was developed by a joint effort of the state division of aquatic resources, the University of Hawaii, and The Nature Conservancy in 2005.  Over the past two years the Super Sucker has proved to be an effective tool in removing alien algae from coral reefs in Kaneohe Bay.  The Super Sucker operation is conducted by a five-person crew and has been able to remove eight hundred pounds of alien algae in an hour of operation.  However, due to funding limitations the Super Sucker has been only operating approximately once a week.

     In addition to the Super Sucker, there is also one portable Super Sucker, known as the Junior Super Sucker, currently in operation.  The Junior Super Sucker is smaller and more maneuverable than the Super Sucker and is intended to be used in remote locations, such as Maunalua Bay on Oahu, Hilo Bay on Hawaii, and North Kihei on Maui, to address the problem of alien algae.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the full-time operation of the Super Sucker in Kaneohe Bay for one year and to fund the acquisition of an additional Junior Super Sucker.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $      or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the full-time operation of the Super Sucker in Kaneohe Bay.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the acquisition of one portable Junior Super Sucker and for the full-time operation of the Junior Super Suckers for a one-year period.

     SECTION 4.  The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  The department of land and natural resources shall submit a report of its algae removal and its findings and recommendations from the Super Sucker project in Kaneohe Bay and make a recommendation concerning future needs and applications for similar Super Sucker projects to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2010.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.