STAND. COM. REP. NO.  140-08

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2828

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs and Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2828 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE SUPER SUCKER,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to address the problem of alien algae which threaten the fragile reef ecosystem by appropriating funds for:

 

(1)  The full-time operation of the Super Sucker in Kaneohe Bay on Oahu; and

 

(2)  The acquisition of a portable Junior Super Sucker for use in remote locations such as Maunalua Bay on Oahu, Hilo Bay on Hawaii, and North Kihei on Maui. 

 

The Nature Conservancy, Hawaii Nearshore Fishermen, and several concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) supported the intent of this measure. 

 

Your Committees find that the Super Sucker, developed in a joint effort by the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources, University of Hawaii, and The Nature Conservancy, has proven to be an effective tool in removing alien algae from coral reefs in Kaneohe

Bay.  Using effective tools such as the Super Sucker and Junior Super Sucker is essential in protecting Hawaii's fragile reef ecosystem. 

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs and Energy & Environmental Protection that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2828 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs and Energy & Environmental Protection,

 

 

____________________________

HERMINA MORITA, Chair

 

____________________________

KEN ITO, Chair