STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1892

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.C.R. No. 81

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Culture, Arts & International Affairs and Water & Land, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 81 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AUGUST 8, 2023, AS HAWAIIAN HONEYCREEPERS CELEBRATION DAY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to recognize August 8, 2023, as Hawaiian Honeycreepers Celebration Day.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Nature Conservancy, American Bird Conservancy, Le Jardin Academy Kindergarten & 2nd Grade, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species, Volcano School of Art & Sciences, Manoa Elementary School Grade 5, Moanalua Middle School, Highlands Intermediate School, Hawaii Technology Academy, Kanuikapono Public Charter School, Wai‘anae Mountains Watershed Partnership, Kalaheo Elementary School STEM, ‘Iolani School, Mililani High School, and numerous individuals.

Your Committees find that Hawaii is experiencing a bird extinction crisis, with ninety-five of its one hundred forty-two endemic manu (bird) species having become extinct and the remaining forty-seven species facing critical threats. Your Committees therefore find that this measure will deepen the pilina with native manu and strengthen support for conservation efforts to restore native birds to abundance.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Culture, Arts & International Affairs and Water & Land that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 81 and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Culture, Arts & International Affairs and Water & Land,

____________________________ LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair

____________________________ ADRIAN K. TAM, Chair