STAND. COM. REP. NO.
Honolulu, Hawaii
APR01 , 2024
RE: H.R. No. 69
Honorable Scott K. Saiki
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2024
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.R.
No. 69 entitled:
“HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND
NATURAL RESOURCES TO WORK WITH THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND
ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION AND OTHER EXPERTS TO CONDUCT A
STUDY ON THE POPULATION STATUS OF CORAL REEF HERBIVORES
AROUND THE ISLAND OF OAHU AND DEVELOP EFFECTIVE POLICIES FOR
SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASING THOSE POPULATIONS WITHIN A DECADE,”
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of
Land and Natural Resources to work with the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration and other experts to conduct a study on
the population status of coral reef herbivores around the island
of Oahu and develop effective policies for substantially
increasing those populations within a decade.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure
from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Democratic
Party of Hawai’i; Hawai’i Reef and Ocean Coalition; Environmental
Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai’i; Friends of Hanauma Bay;
The Nature Conservancy; and five individuals. Your Committee
received comments on this measure from For the Fishes.
Your Committee finds that coral reefs provide extremely
valuable ecosystem goods and services for the people of Hawaii.
2024—2508 HR69 HSCR HMSO
 STAND. CON. REP. NO.(~~ -24
Page 2
Reefs are also fundamental to the fabric of local communities,
providing a source of food, materials, and traditional activities.
Your Committee further finds that many reefs around the island of
Oahu have been degraded from poor land use practices and are
dominated by dead coral covered by seaweeds. The maintenance and
recovery of coral reefs require abundant and diverse herbivores,
which keep reef surfaces clean so that corals can flourish.
Your Committee notes that the population of coral reef
herbivores around Oahu is the lowest in the State, existing at
below five percent of its potential. Your Committee believes that
strengthening existing statewide fishing rules concerning
herbivores, along with other policies and strategies, are needed
to help replenish herbivore populations in the coral reefs
surrounding Oahu.
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 H.R. No. 69 and
recommends its adoption.
Respectfully submitted on
behalf of the members of the
Committee on Water & Land,
~iJfHIYW~ air
2024—2508 HR69 HSCR HMSO
 State of Hawaii
House of Representatives
The Thirty-second Legislature
I4ccIE’ ~ &c, .7PLt
Record of Votes of the Committee on Water & Land
Bill/Resolution No.: Committee Referral: Date:
~1R(cq VVAL~
El The committee is reconsidering its previous decision on the measure.
The recommendation is to: ~‘Pass, unamended (as is) El Pass, with amendments (HD) C Hold
0 Pass short form bill with HD to recommit for future public hearing (recommit)
WAL Members Ayes Ayes (WR) Nays Excused
1. ICHIYAMA, Linda (C)
2. POEPOE, Mahina (VC)
3. CHUN, Cory M.
4. GANADEN, Sonny V
5. IIASHEM, Mark J.
6. MIZUNO, May Besario
7. MORIKAWA, Dee
8. TAKAYAMA, Gregg V
9. SOUZA, Kanani ‘I
TOTAL (9)
The recommendation is: ~~~Adopted ~ Not Adopted
If joint referral, did not support recommendation.
commit e acronym(s)
Vice Chair’s or designee’s signature:
Distribution: Original (White) — Committee Duplicate (Yellow) — Chief Clerks Office Duplicate (Pink) — HMSO