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Committee narrows Volcano biosphere working group membership; HR143 (HCR149) passes with amendments
Summary
The committee passed HR143 (HCR149) with amendments limiting the proposed working group to the district representative and the Volcano Community Association after several written and limited oral supports, including from the Sierra Club and community members.
The House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection on April 1, 2025, voted to pass HR143 (HCR149) with amendments that limit the list of working-group participants to the district representative and the Volcano Community Association.
The measure, which requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources to convene a working group to assess environmental and conservation initiatives for Volcano, Hawaii, drew written support from several organizations and individuals and limited live testimony. The committee record shows support testimony from the Volcano Community Association and the Sierra Club; Yumi Kawano and Lorna Larsen Jeet were listed as registered testifiers in support, and Wayne Tanaka spoke on behalf of the Sierra Club Island group.
During the hearing, the committee noted written testimony from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and organizations including Hawaii Forest Farms LLC, the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party and 38 individuals. The chair and vice chair moved to amend the working-group participant list to be limited to the district representative and the Volcano Community Association; the committee recorded no questions and proceeded to a vote to pass the measure with the amendment.
The transcript records the chair and vice chair voting aye; the committee reported no recorded no votes or reservations and noted Representative Quinlan as excused. The committee announced the recommendation as adopted.
The amended resolution asks the Department of Land and Natural Resources to convene a focused working group to explore conservation and stewardship steps to transition Volcano toward biosphere-area-style protections that complement adjacent reserves. The committee did not specify funding, timelines or required actions in the amended text recorded in the hearing.
Ending: With the amendment narrowing participation, the committee forwarded HR143 (HCR149) with a recommendation to pass with amendments; written testimony will remain part of the legislative record.
