STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1447

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 113

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Water and Land and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 113 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO MINIMIZE HUMAN INTERACTION AT CERTAIN LOCATIONS DURING CORAL SPAWNING EVENTS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Department of Land and Natural Resources to minimize human interaction at certain locations during coral spawning events.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawai‘i Reef and Ocean Coalition, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Friends of Hanauma Bay, and four individuals.

Your Committees find that human interference shortly after once-a-year coral spawning events –- such as swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving -– can imperil coral colonies by preventing coral larvae from safely settling into reefs. Your Committees find that efforts in Kahuluu Bay and Waiakea Bay State Park to minimize human interference for several days after a spawning event have successfully increased the amount of juvenile corals in these areas. Therefore, this measure requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources to expand on this success and take certain actions to support healthier coral reefs.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water and Land and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 113 and recommend its adoption.

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

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair