STAND. COM. REP. NO. 645

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 702

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 702 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STATE PARKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct a study of the carrying capacity of Makena State Park in the County of Maui.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Maui Tomorrow Foundation. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that Makena State Park is one of the most popular beach parks in Maui and is under immense pressure due to increasing tourism. An identification of the park's carrying capacity would be useful to better manage traffic, concerns of the neighboring community, and needed improvements to sustain the park and its environmental, cultural, and social value.

Your Committee notes the concerns raised by the Department of Land and Natural Resources that a study to determine absolute capacity or establishing a reservation system for Makena State Park is unwarranted because the Division of State Parks is currently examining new and improved methods of destination management at targeted park units heavily patronized by visitors, but Makena State Park patronage and the ability to manage vehicle load, collect rubbish and ensure no impact from human waste, coupled with the spacious geography of Oneloa make it currently impracticable.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 702, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 702, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair