SB 1318 SD1 A bad bill

REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE: SB 1318 SD1

Aloha All,

Some of you may not yet know of the existence of this measure, as it seems to have been flying 'under the radar' this session, but I would like to draw your attention to it now.

SB1318_SD1 proposes to eliminate the State Office of Planning by repealing HRS 225M and repealing outright HRS 205A, the State Coastal Zone Management (CZM) statutes.

The testimony of the Office of Planning spells out more fully the consequences of the measure, but in summary those consequences are:
The elimination of the Office of Planning
The elimination of the statewide coordination of geographical information systems (GIS)
The elimination of the governing 'umbrella' statutes -- all objectives and policies of the CZM program -- for the protection and management all lands in the state and the ocean to the limits of the state's police powers. In many cases these statutes are the basis for other state and county agencies' powers to manage the coastal zone, in terms of:
Recreational resources,
Historic and cultural resources,
Scenic and open space resources,
Coastal ecosystems,
Economic uses,
Coastal hazards,
Managing development,
Public participation,
Beach protection, and
Marine resources
The elimination of Special Management Area (SMA) permits
The elimination of Shoreline Setback Variances
The elimination of all Federal Consistency protections (the state's ability to oversee the federal government's use of Hawaii's coastal resources)
The elimination of the Marine and Coastal Zone Advocacy Council (MACZAC)

While the committee reports cite this as a "belt-tightening" measure, we feel this will cost the state far more than it will save: both in terms of the loss of federal funding for coastal programs; and in the long-term through the loss of our state's most precious land and ocean resources. These resources form the basis of not only our way of life, but also of Hawaii's continued economic viability through its ocean-based industries and its ability to continue to attract tourists to pristine and safe island settings.


As this bill passed out of the Senate today (3/10/2009, by a vote of 19-6) to the House, I humbly ask you all, individually and on behalf of your respective organizations, to examine the measure. If you deem it appropriate, please provide testimony if and when the bill is heard by the House (referral is expected to the Water, Lands and Ocean Resources Committee). Of course, you can also directly contact your Legislative representatives to share your thoughts and concerns.

Bills and Hearings effecting Coral Reefs

Subject: FW: ANNOUNCEMENT: DLNR Public Info Meetings on Possible Fishing Regulations


FYI folks.

Not sure if you've been keeping up with the legislature-- but there are a
lot of things being proposed. The announcement below has dates & time for
public input on some of the fishing stuff. Also-- check out the list below.
Go to the www.capitol.hawaii.gov and download or I can send to you.

HB 191 -- Enhances the regulation of aquarium aquatic life collection in the
State.
HB 543-- Enhances the regulation of aquarium aquatic life collection in the
State.
HB 565 -- Enhances the regulation of aquarium aquatic life collection in the
State.
SB 75 -- Establishes limits on the kinds of aquatic life that may be
collected for aquariums
SB 274 - Enhances the regulation of aquarium aquatic life collection in the
State
SB 247 -- Bans the use of lay gill nets over a certain size for fishing;
HB 729-- Prohibit the killing of Manta Rays
HB 366 --Prohibit the killing of Manta Rays
SB 394 -- Prohibit the killing of Manta Rays
HB 1298-- Parrotfish and Goatfish
SB 378 -- Parrotfish and Goatfish
SB 247 -- Lay Gill Nets
HB 583 -- Opihi
SB 1 -- Opihi


-----Original Message-----
Subject: ANNOUNCEMENT: DLNR Public Info Meetings on Possible Fishing
Regulations

January 27, 2009
DLNR Public Info Meetings on Possible Fishing Regulations

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) invites the public to
participate in informational meetings to discuss possible regulations for
certain marine fish species.

The public discussion will center on using minimum size rules to protect
harvested resource fish that may be at risk of being over harvested, and
will focus on at least three main fish families that the DLNR feels may be
in need of updated regulations. They are: Parrotfish (uhu), Goatfish (weke),
and Jacks (ulua/papio). The Division of Aquatic Resources has not yet
drafted rule changes.

The schedule of upcoming meetings is:

Hilo- January 27 (Tuesday) from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the County of Hawai'i
Aupuni conference room at 101 Pauahi St.

Windward O'ahu - January 29 (Thursday) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Castle High
School cafeteria, 45-386 Kane'ohe Bay Drive.

Kaua'i - January 30 (Friday) from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Kaua'i Community
College, Electronics Technology building, room 114.

Kona - February 3 (Tuesday) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Kealakehe High School
library, 74-5000 Puohulihuli St., in Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i.

Honolulu - February 5 (Thursday) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Kawananakoa
Middle School cafeteria, 49 Funchal St.

Honolulu - February 12 (Thursday) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Waimalu
Elementary School cafeteria, 98-825 Moanalua Rd.

Leeward O'ahu - February 19 (Thursday) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Wai'anae
Public Library meeting room, 85-625 Farrington Hwy.

Meetings have already been held on Maui and Kaua'i.

The Division of Aquatic Resources plans to hold similar meetings on other
islands, and those dates and locations will be announced at a later time.

For more information contact Division of Aquatic Resources offices at: Maui
(808) 243-5294; Hawai'i (808) 974-6201, Kaua'i (808) 274-3344; Honolulu
(808) 587-0100; Moloka'i/Lana'i (808) 567-3778.