HI HCR63

Encourages completion of The Nature Conservancy's feasibility assessment on reef insurance to protect Hawaii's coral reefs and coastal infrastructure from natural disasters.

Directs the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, state and county agencies, and The Nature Conservancy to develop an implementation plan with nature-based projects for coastal protection to present to the 2021 Legislature.

Recognizes that healthy coral reefs absorb up to 97 percent of wave energy and protect approximately $836,000,000 worth of coastal infrastructure from flooding annually.

Requests The Nature Conservancy share feasibility assessment results and recommendations for nature-based solutions with the 2021 Legislature.

References Mexico's Quintana Roo state purchasing the world's first Reef Insurance policy in mid-2019 to fund rapid reef restoration after hurricane damage.