S.R. No. 55 - Summary

• Recognizes the Ewa Plain and Pearl Harbor karst aquifer as an important water system, cultural and historic site, and ecological research environment located on the southwest corner of Oahu.

• Acknowledges the karst ecosystem's geological formation of porous coralline limestone reef deposits over 100,000 years ago with subsurface caves, channels, and waterways created by acidic rainwater dissolving limestone.

• Highlights the historical Hawaiian use of karst sinkholes for agriculture (kalo, bananas, sweet potatoes, sugar cane) and operation of fishponds using freshwater springs from the ecosystem.

• Notes the karst system supports native Hawaiian shrimp, marine life spawning habitats, and limu while providing part of the island's freshwater lens reserves through natural filtration.

• Directs transmission of certified copies to the Governor, Board of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaiian Homes Commission, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, City and County of Honolulu, Honolulu Board of Water Supply, and Navy Region Hawaii.