Hawaii House Bill HCR98

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/24
• Refer: 3/13/24

Caption

Authorizing The Sale Of One Or More Leases Of Submerged Lands At State Small Boat Harbors.

Impact

If enacted, HCR98 would allow for a significant shift in how submerged lands within small boat harbors are managed, theoretically enabling DOBOR to redirect its resources more effectively towards ocean recreation management. The current operational budget for the Small Boat Harbor Program is around $30 million, with significant deferred maintenance costs totaling approximately $300 million. By authorizing the expansion of leasing authority, the resolution aims to alleviate some financial pressures and operational burdens, thereby enhancing the administration of marine activities across the state.

Summary

House Concurrent Resolution 98 (HCR98) seeks to authorize the lease of submerged lands at state small boat harbors, allowing for private development and management. The resolution addresses longstanding concerns surrounding the operation and management of small boat harbors by the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) of the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). Notably, the legislation emphasizes that DOBOR has been constrained by inadequate staffing and budgetary limitations, requiring its efforts to be focused primarily on small boat harbors instead of on the broader Ocean Recreation Management Program, which encompasses a wide range of marine activities occurring in state waters.

Contention

Some points of contention surrounding HCR98 include concerns over privatization and the long-term implications that such leases may have on public access to marine resources. Critics may argue that leasing submerged lands to private entities could lead to increased user conflicts and the prioritization of profit over public service. Furthermore, stakeholders have raised questions about accountability and transparency in the leasing process, fearing that it could exacerbate existing problems related to accessibility and management of ocean resources. The term of leases authorized under this resolution could last up to sixty-five years, raising additional concerns regarding the long-term governance of these crucial water resources.