SB2462 HD1

Report Title:

Natural Area Reserve System; Makena-Keoneoio Road

Description:

Directs DLNR to limit access on the Makena-Keoneoio government road through the Ahihi-Kinau natural area reserve. (SB2462 HD1)

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2462
TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating TO the makena-keoneoio government road.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that in June 1973, the Ahihi-Kinau area on Maui's southwest flank, which contains the most recent lava flow from Haleakala, became the first designated natural area reserve in the state. The reserve contains numerous ancient Hawaiian archaeological and cultural sites; fragile anchialine ponds, containing endangered endemic aquatic species; and isolated coves, small bays, and coral reefs, containing numerous species of marine fauna, including fish, crustaceans, corals, and aquatic vegetation.

The Makena-Keoneoio government road that traverses the reserve permits uncontrolled public access to the reserve. Further, publicity of the reserve and its many resources in travel books and journals is attracting hundreds of visitors from all over the world to the reserve every day. This influx of visitors is having an enormous negative impact on the reserve and its resources.

The purpose of this Act is to direct the department of land and natural resources to provide limited access to the Makena-Keoneoio government road where it traverses the Ahihi-Kinau natural area reserve.

SECTION 2. Chapter 195, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§195-   Ahihi-Kinau natural area reserve; Makena-Keoneoio government road. (a) The department of land and natural resources shall develop rules in accordance with chapter 91 to prohibit public access to the Makena-Keoneoio government road where it traverses the Ahihi-Kinau natural area reserve.

(b) Access to the portion of the Makena-Keoneoio government road that is closed to public access shall be limited to the following:

(1) Legal residents of the area who require access to their residences;

(2) State and county officials and employees who require access to maintain the road and the reserve and its resources; and

(3) Persons who are permitted into the reserve pursuant to administrative rules adopted by the department of land and natural resources."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.