STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1831-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 2972

S.D. 1

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2972, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO OAHU CORAL REEF RESTORATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to begin the Holomua Marine Initiative process no later than July 1, 2026, to address coral reef restoration on Oahu.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Friends of Hanauma Bay; Hawaiʻi Ocean Legislative Task Force; Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy; and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; The Nature Conservancy - Hawaiʻi and Palmyra; Na Kama Kai; Hawaiʻi Reef and Ocean Coalition; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that herbivorous reef fish populations, which are fundamental to the health and resilience of the State's coral reefs, are facing decline on the island of Oahu due to the impacts of high human population density. Your Committee further finds that while the Holomua Marine Initiative has made progress in nearshore stewardship, further action is still required for Oahu to restore fish populations to levels that protect coral ecosystems from being smothered by seaweed. This measure seeks to promote the health of the State's ocean resources by requiring the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resource to begin a process to address coral reef restoration.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Extending the date by which the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources must begin the Holomua Marine Initiative process to no later than July 1, 2027; and

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

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 S.B. No. 2972, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2972, S.D. 1, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair