STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1427-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.C.R. No. 214

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 H.C.R. No. 214 entitled:

"HOUSE 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 in order to protect, restore, and manage Hawaii's wetlands, especially those in West Maui.

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

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, faced significant challenges in the aftermath of the Maui wildfires.

Your Committee additionally finds that the Department of Land and Natural Resources does not have the resources to address many of the problems presently facing wetlands but can cultivate successful partnerships between the private sector, public agencies, and other stakeholders in order to serve the needs of Hawaii, its environment, and communities. Your Committee finds that in collaboration with federal, state, and county governments; landowners; and stakeholders, the Department of Land and Natural Resources would be able to provide the services needed to restore and protect Hawaii's wetlands.

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 H.C.R. No. 214 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