STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1203

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 834

H.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 Water and Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 834, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO A BLACK CINDER CONE QUARRY SITE SURVEY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), in collaboration with the County of Hawaii, to conduct site surveys to identify the most suitable locations for black cinder cone quarries on the island of Hawaii;

(2) Require DLNR, in collaboration with the County of Hawaii, to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2022; and

(3) Appropriate an unspecified amount to DLNR for the site survey.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System, Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association, Hawaii Tropical Flower Council, Orchid Growers of Hawaii, and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that this measure facilitates economic recovery, not only on Hawaii island, but also for the local horticulture, floriculture, and landscaping industries. According to testimony received by your Committee, access to nematode-free cinder is essential to these industries as the cost to remove these pests can raise the price of black cinder by three hundred percent. Your Committee notes for your Committee on Ways and Means that the testimony submitted by DLNR recommends an appropriation of at least $150,000 to cover staff time and the procurement of a geologist, mineralogist, or relevant specialist as a consultant to the site surveys required by this measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 834, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair