STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1437

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.C.R. No. 135

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 135 entitled:

 

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE YEAR 2022 BE DESIGNATED AS THE YEAR OF LIMU,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request that the year 2022 be designated as the Year of Limu.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Kuaāina Ulu Auamo, Malama Pupukea-Waimea, Kanaeokana, Papa Ola Lōkahi, Native Hawaiian Education Council, Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Kamehameha Schools, Iolani Palace, The Queen's Health Systems, Partners in Development Foundation, The Kawaihapai Ohana, and three individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that limu is found throughout the Hawaiian islands and forms a critical cultural and ecological piece of Hawaii's oceanscape.  Limu serves as the primary food and shelter for herbivorous fish and is the foundation of the food chain, helps to filter runoff, and provides necessary protection and food for juvenile fish.  Some limu also have high medicinal and ceremonial value.  Currently, as the climate crisis looms ahead, non-native algae proliferate, and urbanization pressures increase, pollution and diversion of upland stream flows, the degradation of reefs, and changes to the hydrology and degradation in sand movement have compromised conditions of limu gathering.  The loss of native limu runs parallel with the loss of Hawaiian cultural practices and loss of ancestral knowledge; limu knowledge and practices are still maintained, primarily in rural areas of the State, but the scarcity of this once-abundant resource has made it difficult for practitioners to pass on their knowledge.

 

     Your Committee finds that despite these obstacles to growing limu, there are several limu restoration projects throughout the State to preserve limu cultivation knowledge, reestablish limu abundance, and grow a network of limu practitioners.  Designating the "Year of Limu" would uplift the work and passion of the cultural practitioners who have worked tirelessly to revitalize limu and provide opportunities to increase awareness and education of Hawaii's residents of the environmental and cultural significance of limu.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Recognizing the achievements of kupuna whose academic and community efforts to revitalize limu practice perpetuated the deeper socio-cultural tie that bind limu to the State;

 

     (2)  Acknowledging community efforts, like those of the Limu Hui of the Kuaāina Ulu Auamo (KUA) and the Waimanalo Limu Hui, for their ongoing efforts in propagating limu species;

 

     (3)  Adding the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of KUA, and Limu Hui Coordinator for KUA as recipients for the certified copies of the resolution; and

 

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 135, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 135, S.D. 1.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

 

 

 

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair