THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	192
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO COLLABORATE WITH FEDERAL, STATE, AND COUNTY GOVERNMENTS; LANDOWNERS; AND STAKEHOLDERS TO PROTECT, RESTORE, AND MANAGE THE WEST MAUI WETLANDS AND WETLANDS STATEWIDE.

 

 

     WHEREAS, wetlands help improve water quality, increase groundwater flows, provide habitats for native species, act as natural firebreaks, and greatly benefit coastal water quality; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State's wetlands were historically a public trust and provided habitats for waterbirds, wetland birds, brackish water fish, invertebrates, and native wetland plants; and

 

     WHEREAS, Mokuhinia wetland on the Island of Maui was located on the Lahaina floodplain and was used as a fishpond and taro patch; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Clean Water Act no longer protects certain bodies of water, including wetlands, leaving these areas vulnerable to development and pollution; and

 

     WHEREAS, over time, the State's wetlands, including Mokuhinia wetland, have been covered over with commercial or residential developments; and

 

     WHEREAS, the ongoing recovery efforts in Lahaina and West Maui after the devastating wildfires provide an opportunity to rebuild and restore Mokuhinia and other historic wetlands; and

 

     WHEREAS, many wetlands across the State fall under the jurisdiction of both state and county land management agencies; and

     WHEREAS, a statewide effort to restore wetlands would help restore green spaces, protect against wildfires, and conserve wetland ecosystems; and

 

     WHEREAS, the cooperation of federal, state, and county governments; non-governmental organizations; and the community will be critical to the success of the State's wetland restoration efforts; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to collaborate with federal, state, and county governments; landowners; and stakeholders to protect, restore, and manage West Maui wetlands and wetlands statewide; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, each member of Hawaii's congressional delegation, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Mayor of each county, and Chair of each County Council.

Report Title:

Wetland Restoration; Maui; Lahaina; Pilot Project; Report