STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3543

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 28

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.R. No. 28 entitled:

"SENATE 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 and intent of this measure is to request the establishment of a Marine Life Conservation District carrying capacity study task force to develop a statewide implementation plan.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that it is becoming increasingly evident that activities long considered non-extractive can still have significant impacts on nearshore ecosystems and resource health. Your Committee believes that it is critical to better understand these impacts, human-use thresholds, and the ecological response in order to protect vital marine ecosystems and support cultural practices, recreation, education, and local livelihoods. This measure will allow the State to conduct additional carrying capacity studies to help protect precious and unique areas in the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 28 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts,

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CHRIS LEE, Chair