STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3198

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 72

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 72 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING ENDORSEMENT AND SUPPORT FOR A UNIQUE AND AGGRESSIVE APPROACH BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO USE DURABLE AND TEMPORARY GEO-SYNTHETIC MATERIALS AS NECESSARY FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE KAANAPALI BEACH WALK FROM SHORELINE HAZARDS UNTIL THE BEACH NOURISHMENT PROGRAM AT KAANAPALI BEACH CAN BE COMPLETED,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to express endorsement and support for a unique and aggressive approach by the Department of Land and Natural Resources to use durable and temporary geo-synthetic materials as necessary for the protection of the Kaanapali Beach Walk from shoreline hazards until the beach nourishment program at Kaanapali Beach can be completed.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaii Hotels & Resorts; Kaanapali Operations Association, Inc.; Classic Resorts Limited; Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa; Westin Maui Resort; and one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

     Your Committee finds that Kaanapali Beach Walk is a significant recreational resource on the island of Maui that, due to recent and recurring high wave events, has been threatened by beach erosion.  Although the Kaanapali Beach Resort has committed to the nourishment and restoration of Kaanapali Beach in partnership with the State, these efforts are several years away due to permitting.  Temporary measures to protect the Beach Walk are needed now.  Your Committee further finds that it is essential to use a unique and aggressive approach that will not accelerate beach loss or limit access to the shoreline to ensure that Kaanapali Beach will be enjoyed by residents and visitors throughout the nourishment and restoration project.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 72 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair