STAND. COM. REP. 399-02-02

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: H.B. No. 2831

H.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2831, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CORAL REEF PROTECTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of the bill is to preserve and protect Hawaii's

unique coral reefs by establishing a network of statewide marine no-take refuges or "pu'uhonua" under the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaii's Thousand Friends and several concerned individuals. The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, and the Sierra Club provided testimony supporting the intent of the measure. Testimony in opposition to the measure was received from the Captain Andy's Sailing, Inc., and a concerned individual. Environmental Defense and KAHEA submitted comments.

Your Committee finds that this measure would provide for no-take refuges to protect coral reefs. This will serve to promote ecological abundance, which in turn will have both economic and environmental benefits.

Your Committee has amended this bill by:

1. Defining "Board" as the Board of Land and Natural Resources;

2. Specifying that a majority of a quorum of the Pu'uhonua Committee that are present may adopt rules;

3. Limiting to $1,000, the fine applicable to the misdemeanor penalty for violation of the laws and rules of the pu'uhonua network; and

5. Making technical and nonsubstantive changes for the purposes of consistency, clarity, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2831, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance, in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2831, H.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs,

 

____________________________

ERIC G. HAMAKAWA, Chair