STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1530

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 224

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 224 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT AUDIT OF THE DIVISION OF BOATING AND OCEAN RECREATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Auditor to conduct a comprehensive management audit of the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation of the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Free Access Coalition, Wailoa River and Reeds Bay Boating and Users Association, and nineteen individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that the poor condition of small boat harbors and boating facilities has been a recurring problem for the State. In 2001, the Auditor found that the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation's mismanagement and neglect allowed many facilities to deteriorate to the point where their continued use threatened public safety, with many facilities facing permanent closure absent major repairs. Your Committee finds that, over twenty years later, several small boat harbors and boating facilities continue to exist in dilapidated conditions and that further improvements are necessary for the protection of public safety. Therefore, this measure requests the Auditor to conduct a comprehensive management audit to assess the Division's maintenance and operation of its facilities, whether the Division is meeting its goals outlined in its 2019 strategic action plan, and whether the Division is using taxes and fees collected for its small boat harbors appropriately.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 224 and recommends its adoption.

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

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair