HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1620

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FIFTIETH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that beaches are unique assets of the State created by the natural process of erosion and accretion.  Accreted beach land, in the form of coastal dunes and dry beach area, is an integral portion of the beach system.  This land holds the fragile carbonate sands that the active beach relies upon during periods of episodic erosion. These same lands will once again transition back into active beach area as the shoreline migrates and sea-level rises.

     As the shoreline migrates, so too does the conservation district boundary, where all submerged lands are zoned as resource subzone.  The accreted lands, originally within the conservation district, will not only return to the conservation district with subsequent erosion, but also will have a significant impact on the function and health of the beach resource to be conserved and protected within the existing conservation district boundaries.

     Proper management, achieved through appropriate shoreline setbacks within which construction is prohibited, will:

     (1)  Help to protect development from coastal hazards;

     (2)  Conserve and protect Hawaii's beaches;

     (3)  Preserve recreational uses of coastal resources; and

     (4)  Minimize future impacts to the coastal ecosystem.

With long-term sea level rise, and without necessary coastal management planning, these issues will reach crisis proportions.

     The legislature also finds that recent events at Kuhio Beach in Waikiki, Sunset Beach on Oahu's North Shore, and Kailua Beach by the boat ramp, illustrate the catastrophic result of inadequate coastal management planning:  rising sea levels and beach erosion on our coastlines.  To remedy this situation and to effect more appropriate laws and policies to protect Hawaii's beaches, a study to update our beach erosion data is essential.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for a beach erosion study for the island of Oahu.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the beach restoration special fund the sum of $100,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 to subsidize a beach erosion study, that includes the shoreline areas within the fiftieth representative district.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii school of ocean and earth science and technology for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2014.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Beach Erosion Study; Appropriation; 50th House District CIP

 

Description:

Appropriates moneys to subsidize a beach erosion study for the island of Oahu, and that specifically includes the shoreline areas within the 50th representative district.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.