STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2224-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.C.R. No. 79

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committees on Water & Land and Public Safety, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 79 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING THE UNITED STATES NAVY TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ERADICATION OF OCTOCORAL AND OTHER INVASIVE SPECIES FROM THE WATERS OF PEARL HARBOR, INCLUDING WEST LOCH, MIDDLE LOCH, AND EAST LOCH,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to encourage the United States Navy to take responsibility for the eradication of octocoral and other invasive species from the waters of Pearl Harbor, including West Loch, Middle Loch, and East Loch.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species; and five individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Military Affairs Council.

Your Committees find that two invasive species of octocoral, Unomia stolonifera and Capnella spicata, threaten Pearl Harbor's maritime ecosystem. These species of octocoral take over marine habitats extremely quickly because they are a "soft coral" that does not form a calcium exoskeleton like reef-building corals, allowing them to grow rapidly and spread colonies, smothering Hawaiian coral reef ecosystems. In areas in which octocorals dominate the marine habitat, there is a lower density and diversity of fish. Your Committees further find that consistent maintenance and a strong, unified response are necessary to preserve and care for the shoreline and other natural features of Pearl Harbor, including the removal and eradication of octocorals and other invasive species. Your Committees also find that the United States Navy is the principal caretaker of the waters and shoreline of Pearl Harbor.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water & Land and Public Safety that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 79 and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water & Land and Public Safety,

____________________________ DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair

____________________________ MARK J. HASHEM, Chair