STAND. COM. REP. NO. 136

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 878

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 878 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STATE LAND MAMMAL,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to recognize the importance of the Hawaiian hoary bat to the State of Hawaii by establishing and designating the Hawaiian hoary bat as the official state land mammal.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Audubon Society, and five individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that the Hawaiian hoary bat is the only terrestrial mammal native to Hawaii.  Despite the Hawaiian hoary bat's significance, relatively little research has been conducted on it, and information regarding its habitat and population status is very limited.  Designating the Hawaiian hoary bat as the official state land mammal will raise public awareness and focus attention on the importance of recognizing and protecting one of Hawaii's fragile natural resources.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 878, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 878, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Labor.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Hawaiian Affairs,

 

____________________________ BRICKWOOD GALUTERIA, Chair