STAND. COM. REP. NO. 358

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 730

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 730, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FISHPONDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to support the restocking and restoration of Hawaiian fishponds.

Specifically, this measure appropriates moneys to the Department of Land and Natural Resources to:

(1) Provide fingerlings and limu for the restoration and restocking of fishponds; and

(2) Establish one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) aquaculture coordinator biologist VI position.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kua`aina Ulu `Auamo, Ko`olau Foundation, Food+ Policy Internship, Hawai`i Alliance for Progressive Action, and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that loko ia, or Hawaiian fishponds, can increase local food production, improve food security, perpetuate local and traditional practices, capture sediment that would otherwise enter the ocean and harm reefs, and provide employment opportunities to Hawaii residents. Your Committee further finds that production of fingerlings can be an important tool to manage fisheries, while also alleviating pressure on nearshore fish stocks.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying the purpose of the appropriation; and

(2) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 730, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 730, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair