STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1893-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.C.R. No. 215

S.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 215, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO COLLABORATE WITH FEDERAL, STATE, AND COUNTY GOVERNMENTS; LANDOWNERS; AND STAKEHOLDERS TO PROTECT, RESTORE, AND MANAGE THE WEST MAUI WETLANDS AND WETLANDS STATEWIDE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Land and Natural Resources to collaborate with federal, state, and county governments; landowners; and stakeholders to protect, restore, and manage West Maui wetlands and wetlands statewide.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition.

Your Committee finds that wetlands provide vital environmental services, such as supporting subsistence food practices, protecting against sea surge inundations and sea level rise, safeguarding coral reefs and nearshore fisheries from the impacts of runoff, and providing habitats for native bird and plant species. Your Committee further finds over thirty percent of Hawaii's coastal wetlands have been lost due to development and stream diversion and that the State's wetlands, specifically those on West Maui, face significant challenges in the aftermath of the Maui wildfires.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 215, S.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair