STAND. COM. REP. NO. 461-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2626

H.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 Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2626, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FISHPONDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to specify certain findings the Board of Land and Natural Resources must make for a lease of a government-owned Hawaiian fishpond.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo; The Nature Conservancy; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that traditional Hawaiian fishponds, or loko iʻa, are important components of the ahupuaʻa (traditional land stewardship framework) that contribute to a healthy and robust food system. These unique aquaculture systems that exist throughout Hawaiʻi were developed to optimize natural patterns of watersheds, nutrient cycles, and fish biology. Your Committee believes that when leasing government-owned Hawaiian fishponds, the Board of Land and Natural Resources should be required to make a finding that the applicant's management plan features use and knowledge of traditional native Hawaiian practices and protocols and that the proposed lease would not cause substantial adverse environmental or ecological impact on the fishpond or surrounding areas.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2626, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair