HI HR194

Request the Department of Land and Natural Resources to collaborate with federal, state, and county governments; landowners; and stakeholders to protect, restore, and manage West Maui wetlands and wetlands statewide.

Recognize that the Mokuhinia wetland on Maui's Lahaina floodplain was historically used as a fishpond and taro patch but has been covered over with commercial or residential development.

Acknowledge that wetlands provide water quality improvement, increase groundwater flows, provide wildlife habitats, act as natural firebreaks, and benefit coastal water quality.

Identify the post-wildfire recovery period in Lahaina and West Maui as an opportunity to rebuild and restore historic wetlands including Mokuhinia.

Direct transmission of certified copies of the resolution to the Environmental Protection Agency, Hawaii's congressional delegation, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, county mayors, and county council chairs.