STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2187-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.C.R. No. 32

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 32 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICT CARRYING CAPACITY STUDY TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP A STATEWIDE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Land and Natural Resources to convene and provide administrative support for a Marine Life Conservation District Carrying Capacity Study Task Force.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition; Mālama Pūpūkea-Waimea; and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that the State's marine life conservation districts protect vital marine ecosystems and support cultural practices, recreation, education, and local livelihoods. Your Committee further finds that the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Aquatic Resources' community-driven Holomua Marine Initiative identifies monitoring, which includes measuring conditions, tracking management outcomes, and using data to guide adaptive management, as a core pillar of improved marine management statewide. Your Committee also finds that the State would benefit from a coordinated, phased, and prioritized approach to conducting marine life conservation districts carrying capacity studies.

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. 32 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair