HI HB588

Appropriates general revenue funds for fiscal year 2018-2019 to the University of Hawaii to hire and maintain initial staff positions for the Heeia National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Requires funding for four full-time equivalent (4.0 FTE) positions: reserve manager, education coordinator, research coordinator, and cultural resource coordinator.

Designates the University of Hawaii's Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology as the lead agency for implementing the reserve's management plan, with partners including the Hawaii Community Development Authority and Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Establishes that contractors and third parties receiving funds must submit to review and inspection by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Attorney General, and Auditor upon request.

Notes that federal funding matches state appropriations on a 70% federal to 30% state basis, and that the Heeia site was officially designated as the twenty-ninth National Estuarine Research Reserve on January 19, 2017.