HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

186

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING that THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES PREPARE AN UPDATE TO THE 2009 WAIANAE BASELINE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY AND COMPLETE ADDITIONAL STUDIES AND MONITORING RECOMMENDED IN THE 2009 STUDY.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, the Legislature in Act 6, Session Laws of Hawaii, First Special Session 2005, authorized a baseline environmental study of the Waianae Coast ocean area; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Waianae Baseline Environmental Study was prepared for the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Waianae Baseline Environmental Study requires an update plus additional studies and monitoring; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2016, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources prepare an update to the Waianae Baseline Environmental Study to include the following:

 

     (1)  Any and all updates, but at a minimum, an update on the ocean uses off the Waianae Coast;

 

     (2)  A review, assessment, and evaluation of the Hawaiian Islands Dolphin SMART program;

 

     (3)  The results of research studies on, and monitoring of, the impacts of ocean use activities on marine mammals, especially spinner dolphins and the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, along the Waianae Coast to estimate disturbance levels and the number of commercial tour operators that would minimize disturbance to the spinner dolphin, endangered Hawaiian monk seal, and other marine mammals;

 

     (4)  Rigorous analyses of long-term catch data to better characterize akule and opelu fisheries, specifically using smaller reporting grids to decipher changes in the fisheries and fishery-independent studies to evaluate the status of the fisheries;

 

     (5)  A review of commercial ocean recreational activities conducted from county beach parks;

 

     (6)  A review of land-based commercial ocean recreational activities, such as surf schools, kayaking tours, snorkeling, and kayaking or stand up paddle board equipment rental conducted along the Waianae Coast and the impact on public recreational use;

 

     (7)  An assessment of thrill craft use along the Waianae Coast; and

 

     (8)  A discussion of the incorporation of place-based, culture-based, and community-based strategies and activities as an integral part of the Waianae Sustainable Communities Initiative; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Division of Aquatic Resources shall provide the Department of Land and Natural Resources with the technical assistance and information necessary to help prepare the update; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to report its findings and recommendations no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2017; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the Administrator of the Division of Aquatic Resources.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

Waianae Baseline Environmental Study