STAND. 0DM. REP. NO. (‘3Z2..
Honolulu, Hawaii
APR 03 2025
RE: H.C.R. No. 199
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. 199 entitled:
“HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND
AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE TO
PRIORITIZE THE RESTORATION AND PROTECTION OF ADDITIONAL
WETLANDS AND ANCHIALINE POOLS,”
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Land
and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife to
prioritize the restoration and protection of additional wetlands
and anchialine pools.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure
from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Kihei Community
Association; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of
Hawai’i; and numerous individuals.
Your Committee finds that wetlands are a vital part of
Hawaii’s environment and ecosystem, serving as natural filters for
stream, storm, and urban runoff and providing natural habitats for
flora, fauna, and endangered species. Your Committee further
finds that anchialine poois are aquatic ecosystems that are home
to rare, endangered species and support coral reef and ocean
2025-3120 HCR199 HD1 HSCR HMSO
 STAND. CON. REP. NO.
health. This measure encourages the protection and environmental
health of wetlands and anchialine pools in the State.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Clarifying that the Department of Land and Natural
Resources, not its Division of Forestry and Wildlife, is
urged to prioritize the restoration and protection of
additional wetlands;
(2) Clarifying that the Division of Aquatic Resources,
rather than the Division of Agricultural Resources, of
the Department of Land and Natural Resources is urged to
apply protective policies afforded to wetlands to the
State~s anchialine pools;
(3) Clarifying that the County of Maui is requested to
ensure that the protection of wetlands, especially
wetlands in Kihei, Maui, is prioritized over development
concerns;
(4) Amending the list of recipients of certified copies of
this measure;
(5) Amending its title in accordance with its amended
purpose; and
(6) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the
purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.
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. 199, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in
the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 199, FI.D. 1.
2025-3120 HCR199 HD1 HSCR HMSO
 STAND. CON. REP. NO. /~72.
Page 3
Respectfully submitted on
behalf of the members of the
Committee on Energy &
Environmental Protection,
NICOLE E. LO EN, Chair
2025-3120 HCR199 HD1 HSCR HMSO
 State of Hawaii
House of Representatives
The Thirty-third Legislature ~ /1 ~
Record of Votes of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection
Bill/Resolution No.: Committee Referral: Date: -
~RM~ EEP ~L 1~’7h
C The committee is reconsidering its previous decision on the measure.
The recommendation is to: Q Pass, unamended (as is) ISV’ Pass, with amendments (HD) 0 Hold
0 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 ‘.7
4. KUSCH, Matthias
5. QUINLAN, Sean
~
TOTAL
The recommendation is: ~“Adopted L~ Not Adopted
If joint referral, did not support recommendation.
committee acronym(s)
Vice Chair’s or designee’s signature(~’Y”\A~~”’~
Distribution: Original (White) Committee
— Duplicate (Yellow) — Chief Clerk’s Office Duplicate (Pink) — HMSO