Hawaii-2010-HR175-Introduced

WHEREAS, Maunalua Bay is becoming an increasingly popular area for watercraft recreation, sustenance gathering, and ocean based commercial enterprises; and

WHEREAS, currently in the State of Hawaii there are approximately fifteen thousand registered vessels; and

WHEREAS, of those registered vessels 1,330 are considered thrill craft/personal water craft; and

WHEREAS, with this increased unregulated activity comes greater instances of conflicts between the various types of users of the bay; and

WHEREAS, these accidents can result in grave consequences as seen in the tragic October death of 17 year old Keahihoku Lum who was killed when a speedboat ran over him along with his buoy and diving flag in Maunalua Bay; and

WHEREAS, clearly demarcated zoning of Maunalua Bay would provide increased overall safety for all users as well as decrease verbal and physical conflict between those users; and

WHEREAS, clearly identified zones for users such as divers, personal water craft users, ocean based business operators, swimmers and surfers would not only allow for increased safety but also for increased enjoyment without having to fear altercation or accident; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Land and Natural Resources is the appropriate agency to develop and oversee such zoning to provide for the health and safety of users of Maunalua Bay; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2010, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is urged to adopt administrative rules rezoning Maunalua Bay creating clearly demarcated zones for use; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor of Hawaii and Chairperson of the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Maunalua Bay; rezoning; uses

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	175
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010
STATE OF HAWAII