STAND. COM. REP. NO.
Honolulu, Hawaii
2025
APR 03
RE: H.C.R. No. 149
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty—Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which
was referred H.C.R. No. 149 entitled:
“HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF
LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO
ASSESS ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSERVATION INITIATIVES NEEDED TO
TRANSITION VOLCANO, HAWAII, INTO A BIOSPHERE AREA THAT
PROMOTES ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND COMMUNITY WELL
BEING AND COMPLEMENTS THE NEIGHBORING HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
BIOSPHERE RESERVE,”
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of
Land and Natural Resources to convene a working group to assess
environmental and conservation initiatives needed to transition
Volcano, Hawaii, into a biosphere area that promotes environmental
sustainability and community well-being and complements the
neighboring Hawaiian Islands Biosphere Reserve.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure
from Alaula Kipuka Refuge; Hawai’i Forest Farms; the Environmental
Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai’i; Sierra Club of Hawai’i,
Hawai’i Island Group; Volcano Community Association; and numerous
individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure
from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
2025—3119 HCR149 HD1 HSCR HMSO—1
 STAND. CON. REP. NO.
Page2
Your Committee finds that Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was
part of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) designated Hawaiian Islands Biosphere
Reserve, meaning the area met certain standards related to
conservation, sustainable development, and scientific research.
Your Committee further finds that the high environmental standards
met by Hawaii Volcanoes National Park starkly contrast with the
greater Volcano, Hawaii area, which has been subject to invasive
plant species, Rapid Ohia Death, forest degradation, and other
environmental issues. This measure encourages a coordinated
effort to develop initiatives needed to promote the environmental
well-being of Volcano, Hawaii.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Clarifying that the Hawaiian Islands Biosphere Reserve
was, but is not currently, designated as a United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) biosphere reserve;
(2) Changing the membership of the working group; and
(3) Amending the list of recipients of certified copies of
this measure.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to
this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of
H.C.R. No. 149, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in
the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 149, H.D. 1.
Respectfully submitted on
behalf of the members of the
Committee on Energy &
Environmental Protection,
NICOLE E. OWEN, Chair
2025—3119 HCR149 HD1 HSCR HMSO—1
 State of Hawaii
House of Representatives
The Thirty-third Legislature
+4 S C~ ~ (~ 9 2~
Record of Votes of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection
Bill/Resolution No.: Committee Referral: Date:.
C
~-~CR~L~ck
The committee is reconsidering its previous decision on the measure.
H) I /25
The recommendation is to: C Pass, unamended (as is) Pass, with amendments (HD) C Hold
C Pass short form bill with HD to recommit for future public hearing (recommit)
EEP Members Ayes Ayes (WR) Nays Excused
1. LOWEN, Nicole E. (C)
~___
2. PERRUSO, Amy A. (VC)
~
~—
3. KAHALOA, Kirstin
4. KUSCH, Matthias V
5. QUINLAN, Sean
TOTAL(S~)
The recommendation is: Adopted LI Not Adopted
If joint referral, did not support recommendation.
committee acronym(s)
Vice Chair’s or designee’s signature: (P~F%~ ~1N.i~———~~’
Distribution: Original (White) — Committee Duplicate (Yellow) — Chief Clerk’s Office Duplicate (Pink) — HIvISO