HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018 - Draft House and Senate Concurrent ResolutionDraft House and Senate Concurrent Resolution
Supporting Game Mammal, Game Bird, and Fishing Resources in order to promote
sustainability, food security, and to preserve long standing local and cultural practices.
WHEREAS, Hawaii imports between eighty-five and ninety percent of its food,
and in the event of a natural disaster or global event that prevents food
shipment, Hawaii could face a devastating food shortage; and
WHEREAS, the practice of fishing and hunting have a long history in the culture of
Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, today, the availability of fresh locally- caught fish is a basic expectation
in each of our communities; and
WHEREAS, Residents on the island of Molokai receives approximately 40% of their
daily sustenance from subsistence sources such as fishing, hunting and backyard
farming; and
WHEREAS, the residents of the Island of Hawaii harvest up to 1,000,000 lbs. of
game each year;
WHEREAS, In 1978, the State of Hawaii held a Constitutional Convention; and
WHEREAS, A proposal of the 1978 Constitutional Convention deleted the former
section 1 of the old Article X, which read: "Section 1. The legislature shall promote
the conservation, development and utilization of agricultural resources, and fish,
mineral, forest, water, land, game and other natural resources."; and
WHEREAS, If the amendment is purely stylistic and technical in nature, and does
not alter the sense, meaning or effect of any provision of the Constitution, it was
approved by the electorate and has become a part of the revised Constitution.;
and
WHEREAS, On the other hand, if the amendment alters the sense, meaning or
effect of any provision of the Constitution, it was not ratified and is not effective
to change the language of the Constitution; and
WHEREAS, This alteration of the Constitution drastically changes the sense and
meaning of the Constitution, the sustainability of resources, and the effect on the
culture, and practices of the people of Hawaii;
WHEREAS, Game Mammals and Game Birds are a sustainable food source, and
our State's unique relationship with the ocean allows us the opportunity to
integrate the local fish and game industry into our food security profile; and
WHEREAS, Policies on conservation and protection of terrestrial and marine
resources should promote the concept that "game mammals, game birds, and
marine resources" are an integral part of our island culture; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the 29th Legislature of the State of Hawaii,
recognizes that our pioneered introductions such as the pig, and later other
sustainability introductions such as goats, sheep, deer which are now recognized
as game mammal and game bird resources, belong along with our other natural
resources as recognized by the Hawaii Constitution; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, The legislature shall promote the conservation,
development and utilization of agricultural resources, and fish, mineral, forest,
water, land, game mammal and game bird and other natural resources; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Legislature urges state departments to
develop and update their rules and policies to integrate the local hunting and
fishing industries into any food security or sustainability strategies they employ
and to preserve, protect and promote these industries in order that they can be
nurtured into viable and sustainable economic, nutritional and cultural resources;